Pundit Simon Jordan has labelled the move for Darwin Nunez as a “half sensible deal” for Liverpool, and has compared it to Manchester City’s move for Erling Haaland.
The Reds have reached an agreement with Benfica for the transfer of the 22-year-old. The Portuguese club confirmed in the early hours of Monday morning that a deal worth a potential £85m (€100m) had been struck.
The deal will see Liverpool pay €75m (£64.1m) plus a possible further €25m (£21.3m) in add-ons. It is understood that Nunez will sign a six-year contract until the summer of 2028, and his medical is already underway.
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez medical update as Liverpool wait on £85m transfer confirmation
READ MORE: Sadio Mane exit cannot hide the truth about Darwin Nunez and Liverpool
Nunez is set to become Liverpool’s second summer signing, following the arrival of Fabio Carvalho from Fulham.
Monday also saw Man City officially announce the signing of Haaland. The Norway international had already been confirmed as a City summer signing last month, with Pep Guardiola’s side paying Borussia Dortmund £51m in the deal.
The news of Nunez and Haaland has seen both players earning comparisons with one another. Former Crystal Palace chairman Jordan has explained why he thinks City will have a better deal that Liverpool.
“Of the two if you’re comparing what he’s achieved to what Haaland’s achieved, Haaland’s played in the tougher league,” Jordan told Talksport. "I think Haaland is a more rounded package than what this lad (Nunez) will be.
“But Klopp doesn’t buy bad players and Liverpool don’t tend to buy bad players, they do have some false starts but these players kick on and these coaches do what they should do and that’s make them better.
“I don’t think it’s a statement in terms of Man City, it’s the cost implications of doing business, Mane looks like he’s going to go so they needed a replacement.
“Mane, whatever they sell him for, will be straight profit because he’s run down his contract, whatever they bought him from Southampton for whatever they sell him for £35m, £40m will be profit.
“So then with this boy coming in, six-year contract, they’ve paid £65m plus add-ons, it’s probably a half sensible deal.
“The beauty of the Haaland deal, this is a free-market deal, Haaland isn’t because there’s a release clause in his contract, there’s no mercurial bit of business from anybody.
“Man City had the inside-track on him for a variety of reasons, Man City will be able to meet the salary expectations which other clubs won’t be able to.
“There’s a relationship between the father and the club but Man City have nicked him by comparison because £51m in today’s market and Liverpool have had to pay the going rate.”
