Liverpool’s summer time switch window appears set for a major shake-up, with Darwin Núñez poised to depart Anfield after a turbulent 2024/25 marketing campaign. In response to , Atletico Madrid have emerged because the frontrunners within the race for the Uruguayan’s signature, with negotiations already underway.
Commercial
Having arrived at Liverpool in the summertime of 2022 from Benfica with a club-record price ticket and excessive expectations, Núñez’s time at Anfield has been something however clean. A mix of inconsistency, tactical misfit and rising frustration has seemingly led to a mutual understanding {that a} transfer is finest for each events.
Atletico Madrid Lead The Chase
experiences that Atletico Madrid at the moment are the “first-choice” vacation spot for Núñez, with talks already “underway” to carry him to the Spanish capital. Whereas there was early curiosity from Saudi Arabia, the participant’s choice to stay in Europe has redirected the main target towards La Liga.
As the unique report highlights:“Darwin Nunez has already been provided to main golf equipment within the League, however no membership has agreed to signal him but, as they’ve most popular to prioritise different choices, with Nunez as a backup plan.”
Photograph: IMAGO
This sentiment indicators that though a number of top-tier golf equipment have been approached, few had been keen to prioritise the Liverpool ahead of their summer time methods—besides Atletico.
Commercial
The Madrid-based membership, nonetheless, are clearly making a push. Stories declare Núñez is “reportedly trying to transfer to town,” with indicators pointing to a deal gaining momentum.
Falling Out of Favour at Anfield
Regardless of ending his debut Premier League season with a good 15 targets in all competitions, Núñez’s function underneath Arne Slot has diminished considerably. His final league begin was in March, and that is still his solely Premier League begin of 2025.
It’s a telling statistic, particularly when mixed with this line from 365scores:“It actually couldn’t be far more obvious that there’s no future with Liverpool.”
Commercial
Slot, recent from guiding Liverpool to a Premier League title in his debut marketing campaign, has seemingly determined to reshape the squad with out the previous Benfica striker. The Reds’ preliminary choice to reject presents from Saudi Arabia in January was pushed by the necessity to hold squad depth intact for a vital run-in. That concern has now handed.
With Liverpool “able to hearken to presents,” it seems solely a matter of time earlier than Núñez bids farewell.
Photograph: IMAGO
European Choices Stay
Whereas Atletico Madrid lead the pack, they’re not alone. Each AC Milan and Napoli are reportedly within the 25-year-old, though they’re presently thought-about secondary contenders.
Commercial
Nonetheless, with Liverpool not standing in Núñez’s means and several other continental giants circling, a summer time departure feels more and more inevitable. The subsequent few weeks are more likely to be decisive.
As 365scores rightly state:“It seems that is the one to observe, then. Nunez is near-guaranteed to depart Liverpool in the summertime.”
What’s Subsequent for Liverpool?
The main focus now shifts to Liverpool’s recruitment crew. With Núñez on his means out, the membership will doubtless dip into the marketplace for a extra scientific or system-fitting ahead. Whether or not that comes within the type of a standard No. 9 or a flexible attacker stays to be seen, however Slot’s first summer time in cost guarantees to be simply as transformative as his profitable first season.
Photograph: IMAGO
Our View – Anfield Index Evaluation
As Liverpool followers, feelings round Darwin Núñez’s impending departure are understandably blended. There’s frustration that it by no means fairly clicked, hope that he finds his toes elsewhere, and curiosity about who Arne Slot will usher in as his substitute.
Commercial
Núñez all the time appeared like a tough diamond—blessed with uncooked tempo, aggression and a eager eye for chaos within the field—however maybe not the fitting slot in a aspect on the lookout for construction and effectivity. Klopp tried to mould him, and for a time, there have been promising indicators. However Slot’s system seems extra methodical and positionally inflexible, which doesn’t play to Núñez’s extra instinctive, unpredictable model.
There’s additionally a broader query right here: if Slot is shifting away from a dynamic centre-forward, are we now going to see Liverpool evolve tactically towards one thing nearer to what he constructed at Feyenoord? It would imply extra emphasis on fluidity, positional interchange and, crucially, constant decision-making within the closing third—one thing Núñez usually lacked.
The reported curiosity from Atletico makes numerous sense. Diego Simeone loves hard-working, direct strikers who play on the sting. Núñez might thrive in that intense surroundings, and even perhaps develop into the participant all of us hoped he could be when he first arrived.
No matter occurs, the truth that Liverpool are comfy letting a £64m striker go away exhibits confidence within the new period. It’s a robust message from Arne Slot: sentiment won’t outweigh technique.