Liverpool have come to an 'agreement' for the transfer of Benfica star Darwin Nunez, according to reports in Portugal.
Nunez looks close to becoming a Red and the club's new transfer record signing, with suggestions a fee of around £68m plus £17m in add-ons is being sorted with the Portuguese club. Virgil van Djik's £75m move from Southampton back in 2018 is Liverpool's current highest transfer paid.
The Uruguayan is set to become the second-highest sale in Portuguese football, as he is expected to put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Anfield after his move from Almeria in 2020. The Spanish outfit are also expected to acquire 20% of the selling fee as initially agreed by the two clubs at the time of sale.
Here is how the Portuguese media have reported on the Darwin Nunez deal to Liverpool…
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Darwin Nunez is about to become a Liverpool player. The English club has already reached an agreement with Benfica in view of the €100m sale (€80m plus €20m of add-ons which are relatively easy for the player to achieve).
The Uruguayan striker will soon sign a five-year contract with the Reds. As far as we know, Liverpool are drafting official contracts to be sent to Estadio da Luz, in order for a deal to be finalised as soon as possible, with negotiations still ongoing regarding the deadline of payments Liverpool will have to meet.
As for Darwin, he is currently on Uruguay international duty who will face Panama on Saturday in their last match of the season. His wish is to solve his future in the next few days, before taking time off this summer. As we reported yesterday, Darwin has already decided that he wants to play for Liverpool, as he was amazed with the atmosphere at Anfield during the Champions League quarter-final second leg tie against Liverpool.
In addition, the striker was touched by the praise from Jurgen Klopp who spoke to him in private, telling him about the plans he has for him in the team. Meanwhile Virgil van Dijk is prepared to lose his 'status' as the most expensive signing in the club's history (costing £75m when he left Southampton in 2018).
Diogo Jota also complimented his future team mate - another strategy outlined by the Reds to persuade the player.
In today's edition of the Record newspaper, which features Darwin as front page, it reads: "Jackpot Darwin."
"Done deal - Uruguayan is the second highest sale in Portuguese football"
Diario de Noticias: 80+20million. Darwin is very close to Liverpool
Transfer could be officialized in the next few days. Almeria is entitled to 20% of the value of the player's transfer.
Darwin is very close to becoming a Liverpool player and Benfica sealing one of the highest transfers in their history. The English side intensified talks in the last few hours, reaching the numbers that Benfica wants. €80m plus €20 of add-ons.
The transfer outcome was predictable, but the destination was unknown. Darwin's outstanding season at Benfica did not go unnoticed by the biggest and most powerful clubs in Europe, especially their excellent campaign in the Champions League, after getting knocked out of the quarter-finals.
The Uruguayan striker showed his quality in the Champions League, scoring six goals. Two [goals] against Barcelona, two against Liverpool, one against Bayern Munich and one against Ajax.
However, the fee for the player will not be totally acquired by Benfica. When Benfica signed the striker for €24m from Almeria two seasons ago, it was agreed that the selling club would be entitled to 20% of an eventual sale of the player. At Anfield, Darwin has a deal of five years waiting for him.
O Jogo: Liverpool signs Darwin Nunez - the negotiation details
Liverpool and Benfica negotiate the striker's transfer that is imminent and could get completed in the next few days. The English club offered €80million (£68m) plus €20m (£17m) of add-ons.
Liverpool have started transfer negotiations with Benfica over the signing of Darwin. As reported by O Jogo, the player could become the club record transfer surpassing Virgil van Djik's £75m move.
At this stage, the deal does not include the exchange of a player. The clubs are in very advanced negotiations with Liverpool keen to complete the deal over interested clubs like Manchester United, Newcastle and Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool started by offering €70m plus €30m add-ons which was rebuffed by Benfica. Club president Rui Costa valued the player at €100m with a release clause of €150m and for now, Liverpool are willing to reach that fee but in installments, depending on the outcome of the player at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp's side prepares to offer [Nunez] a five-year contract for the striker with Manchester United falling behind the race.
A Bola - Liverpool catches Darwin
Liverpool have advanced for the signing of Darwin Nunez and a deal with Benfica is very close to being reached. The striker is set to leave for €100m. The Reds initially presented an offer of €70m plus €30m in personal add-ons, depending on what he would achieve at the club. The offer was rejected but the Reds have improved their offer of €80m plus €20m in add-ons, which is being analysed.
According to what we've learned, Benfica are trying to get Liverpool to raise their bid.
Nunez featured in today's newspaper edition of A Bola which read: "Darwin almost a Red'"
