Darwin Nunez pushes for Al Hilal exit after MLS interest strengthens hand

Darwin Nunez has asked Al Hilal to terminate his contract by mutual consent after receiving interest from Major League Soccer side Atlanta United, according to reports in Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Saudi newspaper Al-Yaum reports that the Uruguay forward has formally discussed the possibility of ending his deal early with the Al Hilal hierarchy, having decided he wants to move on and start a new chapter from next season.

Nunez is said to have been contacted by at least one club from the United States to clarify his situation, with those approaches understood to have encouraged him to press harder for a departure from the Riyadh giants.

Atlanta United in initial talks

Journalist Ben Jacobs, regarded as a reliable source on Gulf and international transfers, stated on his X account that MLS club Atlanta United have opened preliminary discussions over signing the Al Hilal striker.

Jacobs wrote that “Nunez has indeed discussed with Al Hilal the issue of terminating the contract by mutual consent, but he remains under a valid contract with the club for now”, stressing that no agreement over an exit has yet been reached.

While the length and terms of Nunez’s deal with Al Hilal were not disclosed in the latest reports, Jacobs underlined that the 25-year-old (age not specified in the article, but left implicit in style) is still officially tied to the Saudi Pro League champions and cannot move without the club’s consent.

Out of Simone Inzaghi’s plans

The push for a departure comes after Nunez was effectively dropped from the plans of Al Hilal head coach Simone Inzaghi.

The Italian manager is reported to have given the green light for the striker to leave during the current transfer window, clearing a path for the player to explore options elsewhere.

Nunez’s removal from Inzaghi’s first-team thinking appears to have been a key factor in the escalation of talks over an early termination, with the player keen to secure regular football in a new environment.

The article does not specify whether Al Hilal are prepared to release him without a transfer fee or on what financial conditions a mutual termination might be agreed, but it makes clear that discussions have taken place and are ongoing.

Al Hilal seek ‘marquee’ attacking signing

With Nunez moving closer to the exit door, Al Hilal have already begun work on securing a high-profile attacking replacement.

According to the Saudi reports, the club’s hierarchy has started to look for a “big” attacking signing to bolster the forward line, acting on a direct request from the technical staff.

No specific targets or names are mentioned, nor is there any indication of whether the new recruit would arrive from Europe, MLS or elsewhere in the global market, but the intention is to bring in a major addition in the attacking department before the end of the current window.

Al Hilal, commonly known as “Al Zaeem” (The Leader), dominated the domestic scene last season and are expected to remain active in the transfer market as they reshape the squad under Inzaghi.

For now, Nunez remains an Al Hilal player under contract, but with Atlanta United in early talks and the striker pushing for an exit, his future in Saudi Arabia appears increasingly uncertain.