Liverpool could offer Darwin Nunez in GENIUS swap deal for ideal striker

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez looks set to leave the club this summer. Although the Uruguay international is reported to have turned down the chance to join Al-Hilal, it is still expected that the 25-year-old departs.

Nunez has been with Liverpool since 2022 - having joined from Benfica for a record fee that could reach £85m overall. But things haven’t worked out for the No9 - although he can leave the club this summer as a Premier League champion.

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Last season he failed to win over head coach Arne Slot - who has only started him in one league game throughout 2025.

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Furthermore, he only scored FIVE top-flight goals last season - ending the campaign behind Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota in the Anfield striking pecking order.

Since turning down Saudi Arabia, it’s become apparent that Darwin’s priority is to REMAIN in Europe and there is no shortage of suitors for his signature.

In Italy, AC Milan and Napoli are thought to be keen. And in LaLiga - Atletico Madrid are suddenly back on the menu. That’s according to a new report in Fichajes, which claims Diego Simeone sees Nunez as the ideal candidate to improve his strikeline.

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Although Antoine Griezmann has been secured to a contract until 2027, there is uncertainty around Atleti’s other forwards. They are still in the hunt for Viktor Gyokeres and their striker ambitions could have an impact on Alexander Sorloth as well as Julian Alvarez.

The Argentine World Cup winner has been reported to be a little underwhelmed by life at Atletico since swapping Manchester City for the Spanish capital last summer.

Although he scored 29 goals in a memorable campaign, Atletico faded badly in LaLiga - leading the 25-year-old to put his own club future in doubt.

Swap Nunez for Alvarez?

Liverpool retain a long-term interest in Alvarez and could well have signed him from City had Pep Guardiola’s side not insisted on adding Diaz to the deal.

But with Darwin of interest to Atletico - and Liverpool club bosses liking Alvarez - there is an opportunity for Richard Hughes to conduct a stunning swap deal.

Alvarez is probably worth more than Darwin in the transfer window - given his contract extends to 2030 and his impressive goalscoring record.

But if the Reds can add a transfer fee to the mix in a part-exchange, then perhaps Atletico could be convinced to do a deal.

The former River Plate star was acquired for an initial fee of €75m last year. Liverpool value Nunez at around €75m too.

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It would be an ideal exchange for Liverpool - who could offload an underperforming striker and add a world-class upgrade for a fraction of his true worth.