Barcelona-linked South American striker receives an offer from MLS club | OneFootball

The transfer market is beginning to gather pace around Darwin Nunez, one of the strikers being monitored as a potential alternative should FC Barcelona fail to land their primary attacking target, Julian Alvarez, this summer.

Although Nunez has been offered to Barcelona, the Catalan club have yet to make a move.

Nunez’s current situation

The Uruguay international joined Al Hilal’s pre-season camp in Austria, despite both player and club agreeing that a departure would be the best solution.

He still has two years remaining on his contract, but after struggling to adapt to Saudi football, all parties are exploring options for a move elsewhere.

The striker has entrusted Jorge Mendes with finding him a new club. However, any transfer is expected to be financially complicated, particularly because of the salary package agreed in Saudi Arabia.

Nunez wants to leave Al Hilal. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Al Hilal are also reluctant to terminate his contract after paying around €55 million for him last summer.

Atlanta United make the first approach

Now, according to The Athletic (h/t SPORT), Atlanta United have become the first club to open talks with Al Hilal over a possible deal.

The MLS side are exploring a season-long loan with an option to buy, as they prepare for the likely departure of star forward Emmanuel Latte Lath, who is expected to leave after being left out of the club’s latest matchday squad.

Atlanta possess the financial resources to pursue a transfer of this scale and are actively working on a replacement.

Europe remains the priority

Despite the American interest, Nunez’s preference is to remain in European football.

Barcelona has long appealed to the 26-year-old, but he is fully aware that he is not currently at the top of the club’s shortlist.

Any potential deal would also require significant compromises over his wages, making negotiations particularly difficult.

Nunez prefers to return to Europe. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

While his form has fluctuated over the past few seasons, the Blaugrana sporting department has continued to view him as a striker with qualities that could suit the team.

Barcelona continue to focus on Alvarez

For now, Barcelona remain fully committed to their pursuit of Julian Alvarez. Inside the club there is still optimism that the Argentine could make another attempt to leave Atletico Madrid before the end of July.

At the same time, however, there is growing recognition that completing such an expensive transfer may ultimately prove impossible on acceptable financial terms.

As a result, sporting director Deco has already compiled a list of alternative options should the Alvarez deal collapse.

Decisions approaching

With August fast approaching, Hansi Flick is eager to have greater clarity over his squad so he can prepare for the new season with as complete a group as possible.

Nunez remains one of several names under consideration, but at this stage he is simply an available option rather than Barcelona’s preferred target.

The coming weeks are expected to determine whether his future lies in Europe, the United States or elsewhere.