Arsenal and Manchester United have come under scrutiny for overlooking Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez during their summer striker hunt. The two Premier League heavyweights have long been linked with signing a proven centre-forward, yet neither club made a serious move for the Uruguayan, who is now on the verge of joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in a £46 million deal.
The criticism comes from Dean Saunders, a former Premier League striker, who believes both United and Arsenal have “missed a trick” by not making a play for the 26-year-old. With Nunez seemingly available for a relatively modest fee, Saunders has questioned why neither club saw him as a viable solution to their attacking concerns.
Nunez, who has shown moments of brilliance but also inconsistency in front of goal, could have offered a powerful and direct option. As the striker prepares for a new chapter in Saudi Arabia, debate grows over whether Premier League rivals let a bargain slip through their fingers.
Arsenal and United Prioritised Other Targets in Busy Transfer Window
Both Arsenal and Manchester United entered the 2025 summer transfer window with a clear mission: sign a reliable, natural striker. After struggling with injuries last season, Arsenal were even forced to deploy Mikel Merino in an unfamiliar forward role. That patchwork solution only underlined the urgency for a new striker.
Eventually, Arsenal turned to Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres, a clinical and physical striker who had been in red-hot form in Portugal. The Gunners had also been monitoring Benjamin Šeško, but the RB Leipzig forward seems more likely to join Manchester United after rejecting interest from Newcastle United.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have made signing Šeško a top priority, viewing the 21-year-old Slovenian as a long-term replacement for their current inconsistent strike force. But despite the investment and analysis, both clubs overlooked a Premier League-tested player in Darwin Nunez — and Saunders believes that was a mistake.
Dean Saunders: “Nunez Was Up for Grabs — I’d Take a Chance on Him”
Dean Saunders, who now works as a pundit, shared his candid thoughts on the striker market during an appearance on talkSPORT. For Saunders, the decision to ignore Darwin Nunez — a player with proven experience in English football — is baffling.
“Nunez, he’s up for grabs. Would you rather not have Nunez than Šeško or Gyökeres?” Saunders asked. “They paid a lot of money for them, and I thought, ‘he’s available.’ I would take a chance on him.”
According to Saunders, Nunez offers qualities that are hard to teach — power, pace, and unpredictability. Despite his inconsistencies, the former Liverpool striker has shown flashes of brilliance, and Saunders argues that, for the right club, he could have delivered far more value than newer, untested options.
In a summer defined by big spending, the suggestion is that Arsenal and United may have overlooked a more affordable, Premier League-ready option right under their noses.
Nunez’s Finishing Questioned — But His Potential Remains Undeniable
Critics of Nunez have often pointed to his erratic finishing. Last season, he struck the post or crossbar more than any other Premier League forward and ended the campaign with just five league goals, despite playing regularly under Jürgen Klopp.
Yet Saunders insists the numbers don’t tell the full story.
“He’s got every finish in his locker — both feet, headers, around the keeper, chips, long shots,” Saunders said. “But somehow, he also manages to miss chances that look easier to score.”
It’s that paradox that makes Nunez a polarizing figure. For some, he’s a misfiring forward who wastes chances. For others, he’s a dangerous striker on the brink of exploding, needing only confidence and consistency.
Either way, Saunders argues, clubs like Arsenal and Man United should have considered him, particularly given their pressing striker needs.
Al-Hilal Seal £46m Deal as Nunez Heads to Saudi Arabia
With Arsenal and United opting for other forwards, Al-Hilal have swooped in to agree a deal for Nunez, believed to be worth £46 million. The Saudi giants have already made waves in the transfer market and are keen to bolster their attack further.
Liverpool, having already secured Hugo Ekitike earlier in the window, appear ready to part ways with Nunez, just two seasons after his big-money arrival from Benfica. His departure marks a shift in Liverpool’s attacking structure — and opens the door to what many see as a missed opportunity for Premier League rivals.
For Nunez, the move to Saudi Arabia represents a new challenge and the chance to rebuild his confidence away from Premier League scrutiny.
Final Thoughts: Did Arsenal and United Get It Wrong?
While Gyökeres and Šeško might prove to be smart long-term investments, questions will linger over whether Darwin Nunez could have delivered immediate results for clubs desperate for goals. With top-four races tighter than ever, even small transfer decisions can shift a season’s outcome.
Saunders’ comments shine a light on how sometimes the best options are the most obvious ones — and that in a market flooded with hype, Premier League experience might still be the best currency.
As Nunez jets off to join the growing list of stars in the Saudi Pro League, Arsenal and United fans will be watching closely to see whether their chosen strikers outshine the man they left behind.
