Stewart Downing believes Liverpool have found the 'ideal signing' to replace Sadio Mane after a deal for Darwin Nunez was agreed.
The Reds have reached an agreement worth €75million (£64.1 million) with a further €25 million (£21.4 million) in potential add-ons for Nunez. The 22-year-old striker is set to sign a six-year contract and is expected to undergo a medical at some stage today (Monday).
His arrival is expected to spell the end of Mane's time at Anfield - with Bayern Munich expected to return to the Reds with a third offer this week having seen their opening two bids turned down. The Senegalese forward will be a big miss, although manager Jurgen Klopp will be pleased with the replacement he has lined up.
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And former Liverpool winger Downing has no doubt in his mind that the Nunez transfer is one that is likely to result in success as excitement continues to grow over the prospect of watching him operating in Klopp's forward line.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Downing said: “He is the ideal signing if he is going to replace Mane. I have watched him. He is an exciting player. If Mane goes, they need a big signing and someone to excite the fans and someone to replace him. He is the ideal candidate you are looking at.”
In the early hours of Monday morning (0:44am), Benfica informed the Securities Market Commission - a legal obligation as a public company - of the deal which will see Liverpool pay €75m (£64.1m) plus a possible further €25m (£21.3m) in add-ons.
A statement on their official sporting website, read: "In the early morning hours of this Monday (0:44 am), Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD informed the Securities Market Commission (CMVM) that it had reached an agreement with Liverpool FC for the sale of all rights to the player Darwin Nunez, for the amount of €75m.
"To the CMVM, Benfica's SAD also informed that the agreement provides for the payment of a variable remuneration, so the global amount of the sale could reach the amount of €100m. It is further informed that the aforementioned agreement is dependent on the signing of the player's sports employment contract with Liverpool FC."
