Liverpool have reportedly reached a verbal agreement over the transfer of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez.
The Reds are apparently set to pay €80m (£68.3m) for the Uruguayan forward, with a further €20m in add-ons included in the deal. Should they be achieved, then that could potentially see the Merseyside outfit surpass the record £75m that they paid Southampton for defender Virgil van Dijk back in January 2018.
According to The Guardian, the 22-year-old will pen a five-year contract at Anfield and will become the club’s first major addition of the window as they attempt to build on the success enjoyed under Jurgen Klopp over the past couple of seasons. They lifted the Carabao and FA Cups last season and were narrowly edged out in the race for the Premier League title, whilst also coming runners-up to Real Madrid in the Champions League final - the third of Klopp’s reign thus far.
Fierce rivals Manchester United were also thought to be in the running for Benfica forward Nunez with Erik ten Hag thought to be keen to add to his forward options at Old Trafford. However, the Red Devils decided to end their pursuit of the striker not wanting to be dragged into an expensive bidding war considering they have other positions in their squad that needed strengthening as a priority.
Should the deal be completed as expected without a hitch, then Liverpool will be welcoming one of the most lethal forwards in European football last term. Nunez plundered 34 goals in all competitions for Portuguese giants Benfica last term - a record that includes two strikes against potential employers Liverpool.
He scored in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final meeting between the Reds and Benfica and following his strike during the 3-3 draw at Anfield, Klopp signalled his admiration of the striker. Speaking after the game, the German said: said: “[Nunez is] Really good, really good.
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“I knew it before but he played pretty much in front of me. Physically strong, quick, was calm with his finish. Really good. If he stays healthy, it’s a big career ahead of him.”
With a deal for Nunez seemingly all but complete, they could see a few other deals around Europe progress. Sadio Mane has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich after signalling his desire to leave Anfield and with his replacement found, the Reds could potentially be more inclined to let him leave despite having rejecting two bids from the Bundesliga champions already.
Elsewhere, should the Bavarian giants secure a move for the Senegalese then that could potentially see Robert Lewandowski allowed to rubber-stamp his switch to Barcelona. The Pole has already confirmed that he wants to leave the Allianz Arena but as of yet the two clubs have not yet agreed a fee for his services.
