Atletico Madrid must fork out between €40-45 million to land Liverpool star Darwin Nunez.
Liverpool appear ready to turn the page on Darwin Nunez, just two seasons after signing the Uruguayan forward in a big-money move from Benfica. According to sources close to the club, the Reds are willing to offload the striker via a loan with an obligation to buy, set between €40 million and €45 million, a figure significantly below their original investment.
While this represents a financial loss, Liverpool’s decision is driven by a desire to reset their forward line under Arne Slot as per Fichajes. Nunez has yet to fully convince at Anfield, and the club sees an exit as the best solution for both sides.
Atletico Madrid sense a Darwin Nunez opportunity
The deal structure, loan with mandatory purchase, has drawn the attention of Atletico Madrid, who are on the lookout for financially strategic reinforcements. Diego Simeone’s side are preparing for a potential rebuild up front, with Angel Correa tipped for a move and Antoine Griezmann’s future uncertain.
For Atletico, Nunez fits the bill. His physicality, work rate, and attacking instincts align with Simeone’s direct and high-energy style. He also has prior experience in LaLiga, having impressed during his time at Almeria, which only adds to his appeal for the Rojiblancos.
The Spanish giants are reportedly intrigued by the low-risk nature of the deal. Under the current proposal, the club acquiring Nunez would cover his wages and commit to a permanent transfer once certain performance-related objectives are met. For Atletico Madrid, this means they can add firepower to their squad without a heavy upfront cost.
A new chapter for Nunez?
With seven goals and seven assists this season across all competitions, Nunez’s output has not matched the lofty expectations that followed his big-money move to Merseyside. His erratic finishing and positional inconsistency have made him a polarising figure among Liverpool fans. However, his athleticism, pressing ability, and unrelenting energy still make him a valuable asset in the right setup.
A move to Atletico Madrid could provide the striker with the environment he needs to rediscover his form. With Diego Simeone known for extracting the best from combative, hard-running attackers, Estadio Metropolitano might just be the place for Nunez to rebuild his confidence and fulfil his potential.
Nunez’s time at Liverpool feels like a case of the right player at the wrong moment. His raw attributes are undeniable, but in a side transitioning tactically and struggling with consistency, he’s often looked like a square peg in a round hole. For all his flaws, his ceiling remains high, especially in a more counter-attacking system like Atletico’s.
From Liverpool’s perspective, the proposed loan-with-obligation deal is pragmatic: it protects them from further value loss while offering room to reinvest in a more compatible forward. For Atlético, it is a potential coup. If Simeone can channel Nunez’s chaos into productivity, this could be one of the summer’s smartest signings.
