Darwin Nunez's Saudi experiment is over in everything but paperwork. After one underwhelming season at Al-Hilal — largely spent watching Karim Benzema lead the line — the Uruguayan is closing in on a loan move to Besiktas, according to transfer specialist Sacha Tavolieri.
The deal would run until the end of the season. Al-Hilal, who paid €55 million for him last summer, aren't willing to take a loss on a permanent sale, so a loan is the only structure that works for everyone. Nunez gets his move. Al-Hilal keep his registration. And Besiktas get a striker with something to prove.
Europe over MLS — for now
Atlanta United are also in the picture, having submitted a formal offer to Al-Hilal. But Nunez wants Europe, and that preference is doing a lot of work here. Turkey isn't exactly the Champions League, but it's the continent, it's regular football, and it's a chance to rebuild a reputation that took a genuine hit during the 2026 World Cup.
The Besiktas move comes with a trade-off: his wages will be lower than what MLS was prepared to offer. That he's still leaning toward Istanbul tells you where his head is at.
Barcelona's interest remains theoretical
Barcelona have been mentioned as an interested party, and technically that's accurate — Nunez was offered to the club, and Deco is scouting alternatives with the Julian Alvarez pursuit stalling badly. Atletico Madrid have made clear they're not selling the Argentine, which leaves Barcelona's attacking recruitment looking increasingly patchwork.
Nunez could fit the profile on paper. But there's no real momentum from the Catalan side, and with a Besiktas deal taking shape, the window for Barcelona to move is narrowing fast. If they were serious, they'd have acted already.
A 27-year-old who cost €55 million twelve months ago is about to join a Turkish club on loan. That's the story — and Benzema's shadow deserves at least some of the credit for it.
