Darwin Núñez Sees a New Beginning

 Reports from Spain suggest that Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez is already preparing for life away from Anfield. Mundo Deportivo, via Sport Witness, says the 25-year-old Uruguayan has “already begun making preparations to move to Madrid” as Atlético Madrid pursue him for the next season.
According to these reports, Núñez is organizing his affairs in the Spanish capital in case negotiations between Liverpool and Atlético advance. The striker is said to believe he can “rediscover his best form” under Diego Simeone, and joining the red-and-white side is now a top priority in his career planning. Liverpool paid up to £85 million to sign Núñez from Benfica in summer 2022 – a record fee reflecting the high expectations placed on him. He arrived at Anfield after a breakout season in which he scored 34 goals for Benfica.
However, his time at Liverpool has been a tale of mixed fortunes. Under Jürgen Klopp, Núñez showed flashes of his potential but also inconsistency. Since Arne Slot replaced Klopp last summer, Núñez’s role has diminished markedly. He has started only 8 Premier League games in 2024–25 and scored just seven goals in all competitions. Notably, in the Premier League this season he managed only five goals from 29 appearances, a return widely seen as underwhelming for a striker of his calibre. Having “fallen firmly out of favour” under Slot, Núñez has often been confined to a substitute role. Reports indicate he has grown frustrated by sporadic playing time. In Slot’s setup, Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz have often been preferred in the central striker role, and Núñez has “gradually lost prominence at Anfield”.
In light of these limited opportunities, the striker is seeking a “fresh start” elsewhere. His agent has reportedly offered him to several clubs, and Atlético Madrid’s strong interest has become the player’s top priority.
Key details of Núñez’s Liverpool contract make this move notable. He signed a six-year deal in 2022, so his contract runs through 2028. This means Liverpool will expect a sizable transfer fee rather than letting him leave on a free. Indeed, reports emphasize that Liverpool are unlikely to recover the full €85 million they initially paid, but will demand a “significant portion”.
Atlético’s preferred formula, according to Mundo Deportivo, would be a loan with a mandatory buy clause. Such a structure would spread Atlético’s cost over time while ultimately securing the player long-term, and it fits Atlético’s reported plan to manage their transfer budget for next season.
Other suitors have also been linked. Notably, several Saudi Pro League clubs have shown interest in Núñez as well. Sky Sports reporter Florian Plattenberg even claimed that Saudi teams are targeting Liverpool forwards like Núñez, Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz. In January it was reported that Saudi clubs made a formal move for Núñez.
While the financial offers from Saudi Arabia have been tempting for many European players, Núñez is reportedly giving priority to staying in Europe, with Atlético’s proposal at the forefront of his mind.
Atlético Madrid’s interest in Núñez comes at a time when the Spanish club is reshaping its attack. Coach Diego Simeone admires Núñez’s physicality and work rate, and sees him as a complement to other forwards. With Ángel Correa expected to depart, Antoine Griezmann aging, and Alexander Sørloth not guaranteed to feature, Simeone reportedly views Núñez and former Manchester City striker Julián Álvarez as a potential striking partnership.
Atlético’s strategy appears to involve a short-term loan that becomes permanent, allowing them to “secure the player long-term” without an immediate heavy outlay.
Liverpool themselves are preparing for a summer overhaul. Having won the Premier League under Slot with few new signings, the club is expected to strengthen its squad – potentially by recruiting another center-forward. If Núñez departs, Liverpool would use the funds to bolster the squad and perhaps replace him.
For Núñez, a move would offer a chance to revive his career. Despite club struggles, he remains a prominent figure for the Uruguay national team; he scored in several World Cup qualifying matches last year and is likely to go to Copa América. The hope from Atlético’s perspective (and Núñez’s own) is that a change of scenery will restore the form that once made him one of European football’s most exciting forwards.
In summary, the transfer saga around Darwin Núñez reflects a player eager for a reset after a challenging season. At Atlético Madrid, he would join a team in need of attacking reinforcements and under a coach who believes in him. Liverpool, holding his contract through 2028, are in a position to command a significant fee, whether via a structured loan deal or permanent sale.
As the summer window approaches, all eyes will be on how Atlético’s pursuit unfolds and whether Liverpool cash in on their once-record signing.