Atletico Madrid Pushing to Sign Liverpool Star in £40m Deal This Summer – Report | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid Eye Darwin Nunez in Ambitious Summer Move

Liverpool’s historic 20th league title celebrations were still echoing around Anfield when fresh transfer rumours started to gather momentum. According to a detailed report by AS.com, one of the biggest stories involves the future of Darwin Nunez, whose Liverpool career appears close to reaching its conclusion.

Atletico Madrid’s Surprise Interest

Per AS.com, Atletico Madrid have “emerged as dark horses in the Nunez sweepstakes”, with manager Diego Simeone personally keen on the Uruguayan. The Spanish giants are said to view Nunez as “a low-cost, high-reward project akin to Luis Suarez’s 2020 revival”.

After a turbulent season, where Nunez managed just five league goals and attracted attention for off-pitch incidents, Liverpool seem willing to cut their losses. Atletico’s proposed structure of a loan deal with a £35–40 million obligation-to-buy clause would suit Liverpool, especially given the striker’s substantial £180,000 weekly wage.

Photo: IMAGO

The involvement of Jorge Mendes, Nunez’s influential agent, has added further fuel to the move. Mendes is reportedly “facilitating talks, emphasizing his client’s desire to reignite his career in La Liga”, which suggests that the player himself is open to a fresh start.

Liverpool Planning for a New-Look Attack

Liverpool’s incoming summer changes are not limited to Darwin Nunez. Luis Diaz’s future also hangs in the balance despite his impressive 17-goal contributions during the title-winning campaign. Though Diaz has stated he is “happy” at Anfield, his contract situation—set to expire in 2026—and the lingering interest from Saudi Pro League sides, particularly Al Hilal, make his situation one to monitor closely.

Meanwhile, Federico Chiesa, another exciting attacker, has struggled to adapt under Arne Slot, limited to only 395 minutes across 12 appearances due to injuries and tactical misfits. He too is widely expected to move on.

The sense at Anfield is clear: Liverpool are gearing up for a significant evolution of their forward options.

Financial Realities Dictate Decisions

Atletico Madrid’s summer priorities reportedly lie with securing Cristian Romero and Álex Baena, meaning they must be creative with their financial planning. The proposed Nunez deal reflects this, with the structure allowing them to avoid a heavy upfront fee.

From Liverpool’s perspective, offloading Nunez now not only makes sense financially but also clears room for potential new signings better suited to Slot’s dynamic system. The willingness to accept a loan with a mandatory purchase shows a clear urgency to bring this chapter to a close.

Photo: IMAGO

Nottingham Forest’s interest, while noteworthy, appears unlikely to materialise given their limited financial capacity compared to Atletico.

End of an Era for Darwin Nunez at Anfield

“It would be fair to say that the 2024/2025 season has been another challenging period for Darwin Nunez at Liverpool,” notes the AS.com report. That assessment feels accurate. After three full seasons at Anfield, Nunez’s time has been punctuated by moments of promise but overshadowed by inconsistency.

Now, with Liverpool setting their sights firmly on future successes, it seems inevitable that the 26-year-old will seek a new chapter elsewhere, with Madrid a compelling destination to relaunch his career.

Photo: IMAGO

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

For Liverpool supporters, Darwin Nunez has always been a figure of intrigue. Signed for a hefty fee, the Uruguayan’s raw talent and physicality never fully translated into the finished article at Anfield. Many fans will sympathise with Nunez, acknowledging his work rate and passion, but equally recognising that under Arne Slot’s high-intensity, technically disciplined system, he often appeared out of step.

Selling Nunez at a structured cost of £35–40 million, especially while shedding his £180,000-a-week wage, represents savvy business by Liverpool. The club needs fluid, technically refined forwards to continue evolving under Slot, and unfortunately, Nunez’s chaotic brilliance was no longer the right fit.

In truth, a move to Atletico Madrid could rejuvenate his career. Simeone’s style—more direct, physical, and counter-attacking—may suit Nunez far better than Slot’s more intricate demands. If he can rediscover his form in Spain, Liverpool fans will wish him well, but few will disagree that it’s time for both parties to move on.

As always, Liverpool must be proactive, not reactive. Letting go of players like Nunez to make way for others who fit the tactical vision better is exactly the type of tough but necessary decision successful clubs make. Supporters should trust in the process and look forward to another exciting rebuild this summer.