Newcastle United are on a list of clubs that are set to be offered Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez this summer.

The Uruguay international is set to leave Liverpool this summer after being publicly criticised by Arne Slot after a horror miss away to Aston Villa recently. The 25-year-old - who was scouted by Newcastle before the takeover and eventually signed for Liverpool in 2022 for an overall package worth £85million - is expected to be sold.

And the striker, who has scored just six goals this season, could be available for a fee of £60m. There have been wild links of a swap deal for Alexander Isak plus cash but Chronicle Live has learned that this suggestion has been dismissed out of hand.

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Whether Nunez would be an option if Callum Wilson leaves this summer and Newcastle qualify for the Champions League remains to be seen. Nunez has netted 24 goals in 48 Premier League starts for the Reds but looks like he is surplus to requirements.

He is no stranger to scoring at St James' Park after a late brace in the 2-1 win for Liverpool secured the points. But too often he has failed to find that type of form on a consistent basis.

Slot had said of Nunez recently: "I can't accept if a player doesn't give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once, but twice was a bit too much. That's why I addressed it.

"If you miss a chance, you need to be fighting for the team. I'm not saying he didn't do that at all, but it wasn't the usual Darwin, the one that is loved by the fans. That is mainly because he always works so hard."

Nunez made a cameo appearance for Liverpool in the 2-0 defeat at Anfield but failed to notch.

Garang Kuol back on the goal trail

The Magpies may have bowed out of the National League Cup to Altrincham this week, losing on penalties, but the night featured a brace from Australia international Kuol.

That takes the youngster's tally to five goals in seven matches with Eddie Howe impressed by his performances in the second string. It remains to be seen whether he merits a first-team call-up before the end of the campaign having been handed senior game-time last year in the end of season tour of Australia.

The forward said this week: "I'm very happy to get that consistent game time, playing 90 minutes, and I really enjoy working with Diarmuid (O'Carroll) and the coaching staff here. I feel they have helped me a lot and I'm feeling positive.

"I'm always happy to score but, at the same time, I feel I should have more. That comes with consistently playing and being ambitious, going into every game with confidence.

"It's about being concentrated in those moments in front of goal and when the legs are fatigued, being calm and composed."

Newcastle United fans get unpopular Monday night fixture change

The Toon Army have already been hit by a trip to West Ham on a Monday night this month with fans being forced to fork out more money for hotels in London due to Sky Sports' decision to move the London Stadium clash next week.

But the fixture selectors have not been kind in April either with the encounter with relegation haunted Leicester now switched to a Monday night.

A Newcastle statement read: "The Magpies' trip to Leicester City - which was initially set for Saturday, 5th April at 3pm BST - will now be played on Monday, 7th April, kicking off at 8pm BST.

"Eddie Howe's side will now face Manchester United at St. James' Park on Sunday, 13th April at 4:30pm BST instead of Saturday, 12th April at 3pm BST as initially scheduled.

"And United's trip to Aston Villa on Saturday, 19th April will now kick-off at 5:30pm BST, instead of 3pm BST."