Liverpool have been forced to pay an extra €5m (£4.4m) for potential club record signing Darwin Nunez as he jets off for the World Cup.
The Reds sealed a big-money deal for the forward in the summer as they paid Portuguese giants Benfica €75m (£65.8m) for his signature. Whilst that represented one of the biggest fees in Liverpool history - only behind the huge sum that they paid for Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk - the Merseysiders have edged close to breaking that record having agreed to fork out even more for Nunez.
As per reports in Portugal, it was suggested that Liverpool had agreed to a clause in the deal to pay a further €5m (£4.4m) once Nunez made his tenth appearance for the club - a milestone he surpassed last month.
However, it is now believed that clause only became active upon his tenth start for the club. The 23-year-old was named in the starting line-up for Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Southampton at the weekend - a game in which he scored twice.
That outing represented his tenth start in all competitions, meaning Liverpool will have to pay out their fee. Their spending on Nunez might not end any time soon though.
It is further suggested that an additional €10m (£8.7m) is owed by the Reds once the Uruguayan makes his 50th start for the club, whilst another €10m is payable depending on undisclosed performance-related clauses. That all means Liverpool could end up paying a huge €100m (£87.8m) for Nunez should he reach all of those clauses.
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Despite that, the Uruguayan striker has allayed any worries over that monumental price-tag and assured that he does not feel the pressure.
“Why should it [price] bother me?" said Nunez. “When I went to Benfica, I was the most expensive transfer and it didn't have a burden.
“Nowadays, you know how football is but my family is there and they support me in bad times and in good times. Often the same people who criticise you are the ones who cheer when you score goals. That's what I have come here [Liverpool] to do.
“But I never really set myself a goals target. Of course, it is great and very welcome if the goals are flowing and I'm scoring.”
Nunez actually endured a slow start to life at Anfield having undergone somewhat of a barren spell and suffered the ignominy of a sending-off on his Anfield debut against Crystal Palace. He has found his feet since then having accumulated nine goals in 18 appearances in all competitions.
The 23-year-old will no doubt be aiming to continue that excellent form during the World Cup in Qatar. Nunez has been handed a place in Uruguay’s squad for the tournament alongside former Liverpool star Luis Suarez.
