Arne Slot responds to Darwin Nunez transfer clause theory | OneFootball

Arne Slot has denied claims he is not starting Darwin Nunez to avoid triggering a clause in the forward's transfer from Benfica to Liverpool.

A report in Portugal claimed that Nunez, who has not started for Liverpool since March 8, was intentionally being benched to avoid triggering an add-on in his £85m move back in 2022. It is alleged Liverpool will be forced to pay €5m (£4.3m) once Nunez reaches 60 starts across the Premier League and Champions League - he currently sits on 59.

With Nunez expected to be made available for transfer this summer, the accusation is that Slot is knowingly keeping the Uruguay international out of his starting lineup until he is sold and the clause is rendered null and void.

Asked whether such a clause exists, Slot insisted he was unaware of such an arrangement but rejected suggestions his team selection has anything to do with it.

Darwin Nunez's opportunities have been limited this season / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

"Do you always believe what journalists say? Not always? Me neither," Slot said. "Sometimes you should, but sometimes it's better not to believe everything that is written about players.

"This is completely new to me, and I've said many times that I'm working at a club here where it's really nice to work. Mainly sporting directors are judged by the players they bring in, for me it's very important to have a great working environment and I have that with Richard [Hughes].

"The last thing he would do, as I expect working with him for ten months, is tell me: 'If you play him it would cost us this much'. That he would never do. I don't even know if it's true, yes or no, because we never talk about that. He never interferes with a lineup."

Even if Nunez does reach 60 starts for Liverpool, the expectation is he will not manage many more as the Reds will listen to offers for his services in the summer transfer window.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia are thought to be keen, while there have been speculative suggestions that Nunez could head to La Liga, where Barcelona have been named as suitors.