Liverpool knocked back an inquiry from Chelsea over the availability of Darwin Nunez last summer.
The Reds beat off fierce competition to sign Nunez from Benfica in a club-record £85million deal back in 2022.
Nunez grabbed Liverpool’s attention with 26 goals in 28 games across a prolific Primeira Liga campaign and hit the ground running on Merseyside, scoring on debut in the side’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City.
However, Nunez’s tendency to blow hot and cold has attracted criticism from some quarters in his opening 18 months in England, with the 24-year-old finishing the 2022/23 campaign with just nine league goals to his name.
The Uruguay international has already equalled his previous top-flight tally this term, though, and Jurgen Klopp has repeatedly sang the praises of Liverpool’s record signing as the club battle it out for silverware on four fronts.
But according to The Times, there were murmurings of Liverpool cutting their losses after Nunez’s inconsistent debut season at Anfield. It’s claimed the Reds even explored a possible loan-swap deal with Atletico Madrid involving Joao Felix.
The report states that Chelsea’s co-sporting director, Paul Winstanley, checked on the validity of the speculation surrounding Nunez – but Liverpool made it clear they would not be entertaining offers for the attacker.
Winstanley had previously expressed an interest in Nunez during his time as Brighton’s head of recruitment, when the striker was still a Benfica player.
Nicolas Jackson went on to complete a £32million move to west London and the 22-year-old has flattered to deceive at the start of his Chelsea career, managing just seven goals in the Premier League.
Jackson’s struggles in front of goal saw Chelsea scour the market for reinforcements last month, but the January transfer window slammed shut with only one player entering through the doors at Stamford Bridge: 18-year-old forward Dujuan Richards.
The Blues – who have spent in excess of £1billion since Todd Boehly’s arrival – will prioritise signing an elite striker at the end of the campaign, though must first offload players to order to balance the books and adhere to Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
It’s understood Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Brentford’s Ivan Toney are at the top of the club’s wishlist ahead of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea have also been tentatively linked with Kylian Mbappe but it’s been widely reported that the France World Cup winner has signed a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid until 2029.
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