Liverpool are allegedly close to completing a deal to sign Darwin Nunez from SL Benfica.
A new story from Record provides another update on Darwin Nunez’s summer transfer drama. The SL Benfica star looks to be getting closer to a move to Anfield, as Liverpool and Benfica have agreed on a transfer cost for the sale of the brilliant attacker.
Liverpool has offered the Portuguese giants €100 million in exchange for Nunez. The Reds are anticipated to pay €80 million up front, with the remaining €20 million paid through different add-ons.
Nunez, once completed, will overtake Virgil van Dijk as the club’s most costly acquisition.
The young Uruguayan attacking sensation may also take the second spot in Benfica’s all-time sales, only behind Joao Felix, who had joined Atletico Madrid for a fee of around €120 million.
While Felix has struggled to adjust to life at his new club, Liverpool is hopeful Nunez will strike the ground running from the start. After all, he is being brought in as a straight replacement for Sadio Mane, who has indicated a desire to leave Anfield in the summer, despite interest from Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich is willing to pay €40 million to capture Liverpool’s Sadio Mane. The Senegalese international has emerged as the ideal alternative for Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to join FC Barcelona ahead of the new season.
Nunez, a centre striker by profession, can also play out wide if necessary.
He brings pace and vitality to the table for Liverpool, and the teenager has been productive in front of goal this season, scoring 26 goals in the league and six more in the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United, who were planning a proposal worth roughly €105 million, were the other team interested in signing the 22-year-old.
However, the athlete is eager to work under Jurgen Klopp and contribute to Liverpool’s success in the next years. Regular Champions League football was also a factor in his choice.
According to certain reports, Nunez has agreed to personal terms with Liverpool. And, with the Reds and SL Benfica having reached an agreement on transfer costs, it may only be a matter of time before the two parties finalise the transaction.
Some Reports in Portugal firmly claim that Liverpool and Benfica may have already shaken hands on a package that could reach up to a club-record fee of £85million.
The announcement however, is unlikely to be made before Sadio Mane’s departure.