‘Talks Underway’ – £64million Liverpool Star ‘Expected’ to Join La Liga Giants | OneFootball

Darwin Núñez Nears Liverpool Exit as Atletico Madrid Talks Progress

Liverpool’s summer transfer window looks set for a significant shake-up, with Darwin Núñez poised to depart Anfield after a turbulent 2024/25 campaign. According to 365scores, Atletico Madrid have emerged as the frontrunners in the race for the Uruguayan’s signature, with negotiations already underway.

Having arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2022 from Benfica with a club-record price tag and high expectations, Núñez’s time at Anfield has been anything but smooth. A combination of inconsistency, tactical misfit and growing frustration has seemingly led to a mutual understanding that a move is best for both parties.

Atletico Madrid Lead The Chase

365scores reports that Atletico Madrid are now the “first-choice” destination for Núñez, with talks already “underway” to bring him to the Spanish capital. While there was early interest from Saudi Arabia, the player’s preference to remain in Europe has redirected the focus toward La Liga.

As the original report highlights:“Darwin Nunez has already been offered to major clubs in the League, but no club has agreed to sign him yet, as they have preferred to prioritise other options, with Nunez as a backup plan.”

Photo: IMAGO

This sentiment signals that although several top-tier clubs have been approached, few were willing to prioritise the Liverpool forward in their summer strategies—except Atletico.

The Madrid-based club, however, are clearly making a push. Reports claim Núñez is “reportedly looking to move to the city,” with signs pointing to a deal gaining momentum.

Falling Out of Favour at Anfield

Despite finishing his debut Premier League season with a respectable 15 goals in all competitions, Núñez’s role under Arne Slot has diminished significantly. His last league start was in March, and that remains his only Premier League start of 2025.

It’s a telling statistic, especially when combined with this line from 365scores:“It really couldn’t be much more apparent that there’s no future with Liverpool.”

Slot, fresh from guiding Liverpool to a Premier League title in his debut campaign, has seemingly decided to reshape the squad without the former Benfica striker. The Reds’ initial decision to reject offers from Saudi Arabia in January was driven by the need to keep squad depth intact for a crucial run-in. That concern has now passed.

With Liverpool “ready to listen to offers,” it appears only a matter of time before Núñez bids farewell.

Photo: IMAGO

European Options Remain

While Atletico Madrid lead the pack, they’re not alone. Both AC Milan and Napoli are reportedly interested in the 25-year-old, although they are currently considered secondary contenders.

Still, with Liverpool not standing in Núñez’s way and several continental giants circling, a summer departure feels increasingly inevitable. The next few weeks are likely to be decisive.

As 365scores rightly state:“It appears this is the one to watch, then. Nunez is near-guaranteed to leave Liverpool in the summer.”

What’s Next for Liverpool?

The focus now shifts to Liverpool’s recruitment team. With Núñez on his way out, the club will likely dip into the market for a more clinical or system-fitting forward. Whether that comes in the form of a traditional No. 9 or a versatile attacker remains to be seen, but Slot’s first summer in charge promises to be just as transformative as his successful first season.

Photo: IMAGO

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

As Liverpool fans, emotions around Darwin Núñez’s impending departure are understandably mixed. There’s frustration that it never quite clicked, hope that he finds his feet elsewhere, and curiosity about who Arne Slot will bring in as his replacement.

Núñez always seemed like a rough diamond—blessed with raw pace, aggression and a keen eye for chaos in the box—but perhaps not the right fit in a side looking for structure and efficiency. Klopp tried to mould him, and for a time, there were promising signs. But Slot’s system appears more methodical and positionally rigid, which doesn’t play to Núñez’s more instinctive, unpredictable style.

There’s also a broader question here: if Slot is moving away from a dynamic centre-forward, are we now going to see Liverpool evolve tactically toward something closer to what he built at Feyenoord? It might mean more emphasis on fluidity, positional interchange and, crucially, consistent decision-making in the final third—something Núñez often lacked.

The reported interest from Atletico makes a lot of sense. Diego Simeone loves hard-working, direct strikers who play on the edge. Núñez could thrive in that intense environment, and perhaps even become the player we all hoped he would be when he first arrived.

Whatever happens, the fact that Liverpool are comfortable letting a £64m striker leave shows confidence in the new era. It’s a strong message from Arne Slot: sentiment will not outweigh strategy.