Atlanta United are reportedly interested in signing former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan was sold to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal during a busy summer transfer window last year, one in which the Reds earned more than £250million for players deemed surplus to requirements.
The sale of Nunez helped fund a record £455m spending spree, as Liverpool brought in high-profile signings Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. Reds fans were eager for Nunez to thrive on Merseyside, and the striker penned an emotional goodbye after learning he was on the way out.
Nunez's time at Al-Hilal
Nearly £80m was spent on the Benfica star when considering add-ons, but for many, he remains a cherished figure at Anfield. The attacker has scored nine goals in 24 appearances for Al-Hilal so far.
However, the 27-year-old looks set to leave Saudi Arabia this summer after being left out of Al-Hilal's squad when the team signed Karim Benzema. Saudi clubs can only register eight foreign players, and Nunez was dropped from the roster when Benzema arrived.
Atlanta United talks
The Athletic claim that talks with Major League Soccer side Atlanta have begun but are not yet advanced. It is said that the MLS club have the financial power to make such ambitious deals happen.
However, the report adds that Atlanta does not currently have a designated player roster spot open. That could be changing soon, as an exit is reportedly nearing for club-record signing Emmanuel Latte Lath.
Grimaldo defends Nunez
Atletico Madrid defender Alex Grimaldo has previously admitted he does not understand criticism of Nunez’s time at Liverpool. The forward concluded his Anfield stint with 40 goals across his 143 appearances in all competitions.
Grimaldo, who played with Nunez at Benfica, shared his belief that the Uruguay international should have been perfect for English football's top-flight. “I thought that when he went to Liverpool, he was perfect for the Premier League, the type of player, and for Liverpool above all,” he told After de Post United, via El Universo. “He was a very fast, very powerful striker, with a lot of goals, a good shot. I think he’s scored a lot of goals, he’s played… I just don’t understand the criticism. It always happens that when there’s a very high price, they demand double or triple, and it’s not the player’s fault, because the player has nothing to do with the price. It’s between clubs. So, in the end, you go to a team like Liverpool, there’s pressure, they demand a lot of you. There’s always criticism, but I think he’s scored a lot of goals and assists for Liverpool anyway.”
