Darwin Núñez set to leave Al-Hilal after Benzema registration squeeze, report says
Latest transfer update: According to Okaz via World Soccer Talk, Darwin Núñez is expected to leave Al‑Hilal this summer after losing his league registration spot to Karim Benzema and agreeing a mutual contract termination.
Darwin Núñez is reportedly set to leave Al‑Hilal this summer after the Saudi club decided to prioritise Karim Benzema in its foreign-player registrations, according to World Soccer Talk summarising an Okaz report. The expected exit would follow a spell in which the Uruguayan forward has not played competitively for Al‑Hilal since February.
Why it matters
If confirmed, Núñez becoming a free agent would be a notable development for several reasons: he joined Al‑Hilal from Liverpool in 2025 for a reported fee of around $62m and was regarded as a key attacking signing; losing his place in the squad and seeing his registration removed after Benzema's arrival has limited his game time; and a contract termination would make him available to clubs looking for an experienced striker ahead of the 2026 season.
What the report says
World Soccer Talk relays Okaz's reporting that Núñez lost his Saudi Pro League registration spot when Al‑Hilal signed Karim Benzema in the winter window, leaving him unable to feature in league matches. The same account says Núñez has not played a competitive match for the club since February and that Al‑Hilal and the player are expected to agree a mutual contract termination this summer so he can leave as a free agent.
Background and timeline
Núñez moved to Al‑Hilal from Liverpool in 2025 and was reported to have registered six goals and four assists in 16 league appearances for the Saudi club. The winter arrival of Benzema forced the club into a selection decision due to foreign-player limits in the Saudi Pro League, and reports say Núñez lost the registration battle and was frozen out of the first team thereafter.
Squad and international implications
According to the report, the lack of club minutes since February has had wider consequences for Núñez, including impacting his standing with Uruguay’s national team under Marcelo Bielsa, who has prioritised players who play regularly at club level — an issue for any player targeting a spot at major tournaments.
- Núñez joined Al‑Hilal from Liverpool in 2025 for a reported $62m.
- He scored six league goals and provided four assists in 16 Saudi Pro League appearances.
- Karim Benzema's winter signing led to foreign-player registration changes that reportedly left Núñez unregistered for league matches.
- Núñez has not played a competitive match for Al‑Hilal since February, per the report.
- Okaz (via World Soccer Talk) says the club and player are expected to agree a mutual contract termination this summer.
Potential next steps and interest
World Soccer Talk notes that several clubs are reportedly monitoring Núñez should he become available, and earlier coverage elsewhere has linked Premier League clubs such as Newcastle United and Chelsea with an interest in the striker. Those links are reported rather than confirmed in the supplied source.
What happens next
At present the situation rests on the Okaz report: the next verifiable steps would be an official confirmation from Al‑Hilal or Núñez’s representatives regarding any contract termination, and any subsequent announcements from clubs if he signs elsewhere. Because this article is based on a secondary report, those confirmations should be sought before treating the departure as final.