Another suitor has emerged in the pursuit of Darwin Núñez: Beşiktaş.
According to Sacha Tavolieri, Núñez is “edging closer to an agreement” with the Turkish first-division outfit, which came in fourth in the Süper Lig in 2025-26. The loan would span the length of the 2026-27 campaign. A second report, from Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, says that the deal would be worth €4M (over US$4.5M) and that “Núñez views the project positively.”
One possible draw for Núñez: the opportunity to reunite with former Liverpool teammate Mo Salah, who has been heavily linked to Beşiktaş after he departed the Merseyside club after nine seasons.
It’s obviously not a done deal, but it’s something worth monitoring. Per Konur, Núñez is “keen to” return to Europe after falling out of Al-Hilal’s plans late in the season. Al-Hilal signed Karim Benzema in February, leading it to not register Núñez for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season. As a result, the Uruguay international and former Premier League champion is reportedly seeking to mutually terminate his contract a year into what was originally a three-year deal.
In 16 matches with Al-Hilal, Núñez posted six goals and four assists. But he hasn’t played for them since February 2. With a parting of ways imminent, we’ll see if Beşiktaş is the club that swoops in for his signature, or if he decides that MLS — specifically Atlanta United — is his next destination.
If things with Núñez don’t progress, Breel Embolo remains a name that has been tied to Atlanta United. It won’t be the last name. Of course, nothing in the way of a signing can happen until Atlanta can find a destination for Emmanuel Latte Lath, who is reportedly being targeted by Championship club Burnley.
Beşiktaş is linked with pretty much every high profile free agent. That double move scenario makes sense since Barca is probably targeting Vlahović.
Speaking of free agent, Julian Brandt could be an option to come in and play LW (if he doesn’t also go to Beşiktaş) and we could go for Alexei up top.