Atletico Madrid are plotting an ambitious LOAN MOVE for Darwin Nunez ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a new report in Spain.
It’s no secret that Diego Simeone’s side are looking for a top-class forward to replace Alvaro Morata and Fichajes has revealed the details of Atleti’s three-man shortlist for their soon-to-be-vacant No.9 position.
Gabriel Jesus has been suggested as a potential outgoing for Arsenal this summer with the Brazilian largely failing to make the grade under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium, scoring only FOUR Premier League goals all season.
The 27-year-old could well be sacrificed in order to make room in the budget for a big-name arrival.
The Gunners have been linked with Ivan Toney, as well as two strikers who have also been reported as Liverpool targets in Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres, who impressed in a recent game attended by the Reds’ scouting team.
Also on Atletico’s list is Artem Dovbyk, the Ukrainian striker who has been in impressive form for City Football Group’s Girona in LaLiga this season.
The 26-year-old has reached 20 goals in the Spanish top flight this season although there is now scrutiny over his purchase last summer.
Girona’s €8 million acquisition of Dovbyk from Ukrainian side SC Dnipro-1 may not have been above board.
Finally, the Spanish report names Darwin Nunez as a player also on Simeone’s wishlist.
In 2022, the Uruguayan cost Liverpool a fee that could reach £85 million, inking a deal until 2028.
It’s been a hit-and-miss season for Darwin in front of goal, with the 24-year-old attracting considerable criticism in the past few weeks.
DOES DARWIN WANT OUT OF ANFIELD?
The former Benfica hitman is without a goal in his last six Premier League outings and deleted ALL Liverpool posts from his Instagram account over the weekend having been subjected to crude and unnecessary abuse from so-called fans.
It’s been suggested that Nunez is now ‘deeply unhappy’ at Liverpool and his Instagram stunt was a message that he wants out of Anfield.
A deal wouldn’t come cheap, given his contract duration and his transfer fee, but Atletico could offer a temporary haven for Darwin amid a stormy spell on Merseyside and considerable uncertainty ahead of next season.
Barcelona have also been mooted as a possible destination for Darwin but the Catalans will have to sell before they can buy.
