Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin has emphatically denied that the La Liga side has any interest in signing Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez this summer. The striker faces an uncertain future at Anfield having failed to ignite since arriving from Benfica in 2022.
Nunez has only scored six goals so far under new head coach Arne Slot. He has started just 16 of his 36 appearances under the Dutchman with winger Luis Diaz often preferred to him down the middle in recent times. Diogo Jota is another option while Jamie Carragher is among those to believe that the Reds should sign another number nine when the next transfer window opens.
The Uruguayan's future remains the subject of speculation as a result, with Saudi Pro League clubs believed to be interested in his services. AC Milan has also been linked with a move for Nunez but Atletico, via Marin, has denied that it is keen.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp earned massive Liverpool pay-off in unexpected gesture to club icon
READ MORE: Liverpool confirms new contract as Arne Slot set for summer transfer shake-up
"Nunez is not part of the club's contracting plans in the coming period, and what was published about our interest in the player is baseless," he told 365 Scores. "We are not looking for a striker, but our team needs to strengthen in other positions, which is what Atletico Madrid’s management is discussing at the moment."
Slot has criticized his Liverpool number nine this week after poor showings against Aston Villa and Wolves, saying "I can’t accept if a player doesn’t give everything". But Virgil van Dijk praised Nunez's reaction when he came off the bench against Newcastle United.
"That is the bare minimum that has been asked of the whole squad from day one, but that is the bare minimum anyway for playing for Liverpool," Van Dijk told reporters at Anfield. "It was more down to him and it is still down to him, but I think he showed a great reaction today in his work rate and coming on. That should be the minimum and he knows it."
Liverpool.com says: The Reds and Nunez parting ways this summer feels like the right decision to come to. That would then free up space on the Liverpool roster for a more prolific striker to come in, though there are not loads of those readily available on the market.
Nunez will have had three full seasons by the time this campaign ends. Having failed to show enough consistency up to this point in his Liverpool career, the chances of him suddenly being able to string together a run where he ties all the necessary elements of playing the role together seem slim.
