Liverpool 'turn attention' to Premier League striker to sign Darwin Nunez replacement

Vishal Bhawani

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Liverpool 'turn attention' to Premier League striker to sign Darwin Nunez replacement image

Liverpool’s forward line could look very different next season. With Darwin Nunez reportedly expected to leave, the Reds are now eyeing a familiar face in the Premier League to fill the gap — Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

The club reportedly turned down a bid from Al Nassr for Nunez in January, but as summer nears, all options are back on the table.

The Uruguayan striker is said to be open to a new chapter, and Liverpool are quietly planning for life without him.

New boss Arne Slot may be preparing to shuffle the attacking deck.

While Mohamed Salah has carried most of the weight this season — racking up a record number of goal contributions — the same can’t be said for Nunez and Diogo Jota.

Both have struggled for consistency, and the No. 9 role remains a big question mark at Anfield.

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How Liverpool could sign Ollie Watkins?

With top target Alexander Isak potentially too pricey, and Viktor Gyokeres edging toward Arsenal, Liverpool have turned their focus to Watkins.

According to Football Insider, the Reds are keeping a close watch on the Aston Villa forward's situation.

Watkins has been in and out of the starting XI lately, with just one start in Villa’s last five games. The January arrival of Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United has pushed Watkins down the pecking order.

If Rashford’s move becomes permanent — rumored to be worth £40 million — Villa might be willing to listen to offers for Watkins.

The 29-year-old England international has proven his value in the Premier League, scoring 85 goals and assisting 40 times in 216 appearances for Villa. This season alone, he’s chipped in with 15 goals and 12 assists.

He’s under contract until 2028, meaning Villa can demand a hefty fee. But Liverpool may see him as a more realistic and Premier League-ready option than other targets.

Let’s face it — Liverpool need someone who can hit the ground running. Watkins might just be the man to take over the wheel from Nunez — without spinning out.

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Vishal Bhawani

Vishal Bhawani is a sub-editor for the Affiliate Content team and a writer and sub-editor for the Football Wires team at The Sporting News. Based in Indore, India, he holds a Diploma in Operations and Management from Maharashtra University.

Before joining TSN in May 2024, Vishal contributed to Football Express and Six Sports and ran his own blog, Anfield Home, as a passionate Liverpool fan. An avid traveler, he follows multiple sports, including cricket, soccer, and tennis.