Uruguayan outlet Referi broke the news that the 26-year-old and Al-Hilal's hierarchy have reached a mutual agreement for him to depart once the club's Saudi King's Cup commitments are completed. Nunez has not played a competitive match since 16 February, with his last appearance coming in the AFC Champions League Elite before Al-Hilal's elimination.
Head coach Simone Inzaghi backed the decision to deregister Nunez from the domestic squad to accommodate Benzema under Saudi Pro League regulations that cap foreign players born before 2003 at eight per 25-man squad.
Despite the difficult circumstances, those inside the club have spoken positively about his conduct. He has continued to train with the first team daily and maintained a professional attitude throughout a period of extreme frustration.
Nunez scored nine goals and contributed five assists across 24 appearances in all competitions before his exclusion. He earns around £400,000 per week in Riyadh — more than double his Liverpool salary — but the financial sacrifice of leaving has become secondary to his need for regular football, particularly with the World Cup in the United States this summer approaching and his Uruguay place not guaranteed after being absent from the starting lineup in recent international friendlies.
Liverpool sold Nunez to Al-Hilal last August for an initial £46 million, a significant loss on the £64 million they had paid Benfica in 2022. The add-ons agreed as part of the sale — worth up to a further £10 million — will now not be fully met.
Juventus are considered the most advanced suitor for Nunez's signature, having made a formal enquiry to Al-Hilal in recent weeks. Chelsea have also been linked, along with AC Milan.
A return to England is possible but complicated by the pace of the Premier League and the question of whether he can recapture his best form after three months without competitive football.