Transfer rumors, news: Spurs, Newcastle eye Darwin Núñez - ESPN

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by ESPN

February 22, 2026

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Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing a potential transfer target in Darwin Núñez, the former Liverpool striker who has fallen out of favor at Al Hilal. With strict foreign-player quotas introduced after Karim Benzema's arrival, Núñez has been excluded from the Saudi club's league and cup squads. This situation could open doors for other clubs, including Atlético Madrid and Juventus, who have long admired the Uruguay international. Tottenham and Newcastle are among those closely monitoring his availability. Julián Álvarez is another player whose future is under speculation. If he leaves Atlético Madrid this summer, Barcelona is his top preference over Liverpool or Arsenal, according to reports. Arsenal has shown interest in making a move for Álvarez but faces competition from the striker's stated desire to join Barcelona. This dynamic adds intrigue to the transfer market, as clubs like Tottenham and Manchester United continue to track other promising talent, such as Wolves forward Mateus Mané. Meanwhile, Barcelona is also monitoring Levante's Karl Etta Eyong, a 22-year-old winger who has attracted interest from Fulham and CSKA Moscow. The youngster appears content with his current situation but could be lured by the chance to join a

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/22/2026