Just hours after a report that claimed Atlanta United is pursuing Swiss striker Breel Embolo emerged a different report suggesting the team is also attempting to acquire Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez from Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. The Athletic’s Tom Bogert had the scoop.
The 27-year-old Núñez was one of the top prospects in the world just several years ago that led Liverpool to spend €75 million with €25 million in add-ons connected to the transfer. This came a year after Núñez was named Player of the Year in the Portuguese Primeira Liga when he bagged 26 goals in 28 league games for Benifca.
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While Embolo’s potential transfer presents its fair share of concerns, especially related to injures, Núñez would be an absolute coup not jsut for a struggling Atlanta United team, but for any MLS squad. And for that reason, it’s worth holding out some skepticism as to whether Atlanta United can get this deal over the line after losing the recruiting battle for some other high-profile players, like Koke, in recent weeks and months. Bogert added to his report that the talks are NOT advanced at this stage, but it would appear there’s at least enough interest for the story to leak to the press. Núñez is openly seen as a distressed asset at his current club in Saudi Arabia, who is attempting to offload him due to squad registration issues.
On the field, Núñez is a proven goalscorer who uses aggression and high-end athleticism to get on the end of balls in the box. He never quite panned out at Liverpool, and when Saudi came calling for him in similar fashion to Al-Nassr coming to Atlanta to take Pity Martinez, Liverpool was happy to get most of their initial spend back. But still, he scored 18 goals in all appearances for Liverpool (10 in the Premier League) in the 2023-24 season. He’s struggled at the international level for Uruguay recently, failing to score in competitive matches since 2024. But he has regularly played for his country under famed Argentine manager and Tata Martino associate Marcelo Bielsa, including at the 2026 World Cup.
Let get this guy. Team beginning to look like it has a coach- now a few more players?
To make either a good investment, I’d think we need a much higher quality 8 or 10 who can reliably distribute the ball, not got bogged down at the first challenge outside the box … maybe someone who’s able and willing to beat a defender on the dribble once in awhile. (I miss you, Marcy. Just kidding.)