Liverpool are close to the signing of Benfica forward Darwin Nunez, reports claim, with the deal ‘practically sealed’.
Nunez has emerged as Liverpool’s top transfer target as the club looks to the future, with Sadio Mane reportedly looking to go and Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino both set to become free agents next summer.
The 22-year-old striker is one of Europe’s hottest young prospects following a sensational season in which he scored 34 goals in 41 appearances for the Portuguese club, and the Merseyside outfit are certain he is the guy to give their forward line a boost.
Jurgen Klopp’s side has initiated discussions with Benfica to bring the midfielder to Anfield, Sportsmail reported this week, amid interest from Manchester United and Atletico Madrid in an £85 million deal that would smash their transfer record.
And now, the deal is ‘practically finished,’ with Liverpool paying £68 million upfront, with the sum possibly climbing to £85 million with add-ons.
Nunez, who is presently on international duty with Uruguay but has ‘already said yes’ to playing under Klopp, has also agreed to the transfer, according to the source.
The £85 million fee would be a new high for Liverpool, surpassing the £75 million they paid for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk in 2017.
And, according to the report, Benfica will not need to find a replacement for Nunez before selling him to Liverpool, and the team is currently not trying to recruit a new striker.
Liverpool’s new sporting director, Julian Ward, has been in charge of talks with Benfica over Nunez, who could effectively replace Sadio Mane. On Wednesday, Bayern Munich made a second £30 million approach for the Senegalese international, and he has stated that he is looking for a fresh challenge.
Nunez appears to be the future, with Mane’s time at Anfield potentially nearing to an end, and would be a major statement of intent for Liverpool’s championship challenge next season, after Man City’s £51 million move for Erling Haaland.
Nunez’s adaptability will be a significant plus for Liverpool in a front three that has previously been a bit of a mishmash. He can play on the left side or in the centre, and he scored six goals in the Champions League last season, two of which came against Liverpool in the quarter-finals.
Nunez has been a regular for the Uruguay national team since his debut in 2019, earning 11 caps and scoring twice.
He began his career with Penarol in his native Spain before going to Almeria in the second division of Spain. He scored 16 goals there before moving to Benfica, where he has 48 goals in 85 appearances.