Liverpool could be given an unlikely route out of its Darwin Nunez dilemma, with Saudi Arabia supposedly ready to allow the Reds to cash out for around the sum of their original investment. Such an offer would be hard to refuse, given the performances he has produced over the last two-and-a-half seasons — and it would provide significant funds to further strengthen the team.

There's some disagreement over the degree to which Saudi interest has crystallized. One sensational report claims that Liverpool has already rebuffed an $85m (£69m) offer from Al Hilal, with Michael Edwards personally taking over negotiations to try and extract an even higher price.

Other outlets suggest a deal is not quite so advanced, but interest in Nunez from the Pro League does appear to be genuine. Realistically, that probably doubles the fee Liverpool is able to hope for, presenting Arne Slot with a first proper chance to put his stamp on the squad.

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Priority number one would be another striker. While he has not been particularly prolific under Slot, there is no denying that Nunez has been granted minutes, and completing the second half of the season one forward light would not be a smart way of maintaining a charge on four fronts.

That's where links to Stefanos Tzimas become really interesting. The relatively little-known striker would be a far more typical Edwards signing than Nunez ever was, and wouldn't make too much of a dent in Liverpool's potential upcoming windfall.

The Reds are supposedly negotiating with Nurnberg, in anticipation that the German second tier side triggers its option to buy for the PAOK striker. A figure of $25.5m (£21m), some $7m above the buy clause, has been mooted in order to make an Anfield switch happen.

Whether that deal could be done in January or not remains to be seen, however. One elite forward who definitely is on the market this winter is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Unfortunately, Kvaratskhelia appears close to a move to PSG from Napoli. But Liverpool interest has been confirmed, and progress on the Nunez front would surely justify a significant late hijacking effort.

Slot has often used Luis Diaz through the middle this season. That switch could be made semi-permanent, with the Colombian competing with Diogo Jota and effectively becoming the Nunez replacement, and Kvaratskhelia sharing duties on the left with Cody Gakpo.

With Diaz likely to be the next big contract saga, Kvaratskhelia would also act as something of a long-term heir. Even with the Nunez money, it may well be too good to be true, but it's a transfer that would make a whole lot of sense.

Speaking of contract sagas, the Nunez money would also theoretically free up a good chunk of space on the wage bill. He is not a massive earner himself, but his transfer fee alone would broadly equate to paying someone $500,000 per week over three years.

Securing the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold would be more valuable than just about any signing Liverpool could make. It would probably be Nunez's most important contribution in red.

At this point, the money is already stretching implausibly far. But Liverpool is not solely reliant on selling Nunez for its transfer kitty, so it is capable of making other moves too — and it would be remiss not to address the left-back position before long.

Andy Robertson has been an all-time great at Anfield. He is also not as much of a liability now as some would make out, but it's hard to deny that it might be time to think about getting his replacement through the door.

With Edwards taking over on the Nunez front, perhaps Richard Hughes can talk to his old club about Milos Kerkez. The Hungarian has impressed in the Premier League, and looks like he would thrive under Slot.

Possible Liverpool XI after Nunez sale: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Kvaratskhelia, Jota, Salah.

Liverpool.com says: Getting all of this done would undoubtedly leave Liverpool looking stronger than it does now. Kvaratskhelia alone would probably be an upgrade, although it may already be too late to strike that deal.

Either way, it is illustrative of the options available if Nunez does leave for a big chunk of Saudi money. Though he has shown immense promise in flashes, cashing in seems like an obvious choice if the mooted sums are genuinely on the table.