Atlanta United MLS bid challenges Barcelona's backup plan for striker

Atlanta United have opened negotiations with Al Hilal for a season‑long loan, with an option to buy, for Uruguay international Darwin Nunez, the South American forward who cost the Saudi club around €55 million last summer. The deal would see the 26‑year‑old leave Al Hilal for the United States.

Atlanta United are the first club to approach Al Hilal about Nunez, aiming to replace forward Emmanuel Latte Lath, who is expected to depart after being omitted from the latest matchday squad. The MLS franchise has the financial resources to pursue a deal of this scale and is actively seeking a replacement to shore up its attacking options.

Nunez joined Al Hilal’s pre‑season camp in Austria, and both player and club agreed that a departure would be the best solution. He still has two years remaining on his contract but has struggled to adapt to Saudi football, prompting all parties to explore alternatives.

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The striker has entrusted agent Jorge Mendes with finding a new club, yet any transfer is expected to be financially complicated. Al Hilal are reluctant to terminate his contract after paying around €55 million for him last summer, and the salary package agreed in Saudi Arabia would require significant compromises.

Although Nunez has been offered to Barcelona, the Catalan club have yet to make a move. Barcelona view him as a secondary option behind primary target Julian Alvarez, aware that wage adjustments would be necessary, while sporting director Deco already has a list of alternatives and Hansi Flick seeks clarity ahead of August.

For Nunez, the MLS approach offers a possible exit from Al Hilal, though he has expressed a preference to remain in European football. The coming weeks will determine whether his future lies in Europe, the United States, or elsewhere, while Barcelona continue to focus on securing Alvarez.