23-year-old Liverpool star on four-man Real Madrid transfer shortlist

Transfer News: Real Madrid shortlist Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez as an option for January window

According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central (h/t Liverpool Echo), Real Madrid have shortlisted Liverpool and Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez as an option for the January transfer window.

The Reds signed the 23-year-old this summer from SL Benfica for £64.1 million. Despite being at the Merseyside club for only four months, he is attracting interest from one of the best clubs in Europe.

Other players on the list include Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison and PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo. Los Blancos are looking to add a forward to their squad due to the injury to their main striker Karim Benzema.

Nunez got off to a rough start to the Premier League this season. The striker struggled to find the back of the net in the first few months at the club. However, he seems to have found his form and was regularly on the scoresheet before the World Cup break.

The Uruguayan has played in 18 games for the Reds in all competitions, scoring nine goals in the process. He also played in all three games for his country at the World Cup but failed to score any goal with his side also getting knocked out of the tournament.

It is surprising to see the Spanish giants take interest in a player who is yet to perform on a consistent basis. Despite this, the 23-year-old is a regular for Jurgen Klopp and sees his current contract expire in 2028.

While the interest in the player shows the huge potential in him, it is highly unlikely he will leave this winter. The forward is an important player for us and can also play on the wings in emergencies as he has been doing for the past couple of games.

It remains to be seen if the current European champions make any approach for the 23-year-old. While the idea of playing for a club like Real could entice almost everyone, Klopp and the club should be prepared to keep hold of the forward.

More Liverpool News:

• Matthew Upson slams Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez for Uruguay performance against Portugal
• Liverpool have rejected the chance to sign Brighton & Hove Albion forward Leandro Trossard
• Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes England manager Gareth Southgate does not trust Trent Alexander-Arnold

It would be a shock if the club didn’t learn a lesson from the Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona saga. Hopefully, such a situation was discussed with Nunez when he signed as a new player for Liverpool this summer, and his loyalty and commitment to the club, at least for the first four-to-five years, was brought up before we agreed to sign him.