Darwin Núñez Chooses Al-Diriyah Over Turkey

Darwin Núñez has made his choice – and it is not Turkey.

The Uruguayan striker is set to join Al-Diriyah from Al-Hilal in the current summer window, with a deal in place that shuts the door on a late move to Trabzonspor.

Saudi stay over Turkish reunion

Trabzonspor had pushed hard in recent days, sensing an opportunity and selling a powerful idea: Núñez back alongside Mohamed Salah, the former Liverpool pair reunited in a new setting after years together in a red shirt. For a moment, that prospect felt real.

Then the Saudi project stepped in with clarity and cash.

Fabrizio Romano reported on X that Al-Hilal and Al-Diriyah have reached a verbal agreement for Núñez to move to Al-Diriyah. The framework is clear: a loan deal running until June 2027, with Al-Diriyah covering the forward’s salary for the entire spell.

Crucially, there is no option or obligation to buy included in the current agreement. This is a long-term loan, not a permanent divorce.

Details still to be signed off

The green light is there in principle, but the paperwork still has to catch up. Contracts are being prepared, and arrangements are underway for Núñez to undergo his medical before the move is officially announced.

Only then will Al-Diriyah be able to unveil a marquee attacking addition, and Al-Hilal can formally send one of their headline names across the Saudi Pro League landscape.

Blow for Trabzonspor and their dream pairing

For Trabzonspor, the news lands hard. The club’s pursuit had built genuine excitement among supporters, who had already started to picture Salah and Núñez leading the line together again, this time in the Turkish league.

Instead, that vision dissolves. Núñez has opted to keep his future tied to Saudi football, trading one blue shirt for another and committing his prime years to Al-Diriyah.

The reunion will have to wait. The Saudi project, once again, does not.