According to TalkSport journalist Alex Crook, Benfica star forward Darwin Nunez wants to sign for Liverpool for reasons similar to why January signing Luis Diaz opted to switch to the Merseyside outfit.
Liverpool look to be on the brink of making one of the biggest signings of the summer in Benfica’s star 22-year-old, who has impressed many elite clubs across world football, including Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.
After their disappointing Champions League final loss to Real Madrid, star winger Sadio Mane revealed his desire to leave. Since these rumours appeared, Liverpool have been looking for his replacement and Nunez looks to be the frontrunner, with personal terms already reportedly agreed between the club and player.
On TalkSport’s GameDay podcast, Crook revealed why the Uruguayan has opted to make the move to Liverpool ahead of the likes of rivals Manchester United, claiming the Liverpool manager and the draw of Champions League football have played a part.
He said: “There was always a danger if a club in the Champions League came in, then that would turn his head – that’s what’s happened with Liverpool. Very similar, actually, I think, to the Diaz situation, where obviously Tottenham were confident of getting him at one stage. West Ham even tried as well.
“But as soon as Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp come calling, that is a big draw for any player. £68m upfront, I think will be the fee. It will eventually eclipse the £75m record transfer that Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk.”
TIF Thoughts on Nunez to Liverpool…
Despite looking like they are going to lose one of their key stars in Mane, Liverpool have not rested on their laurels and are now look poised to sign one of the hottest young talents in world football, akin to the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
The Uruguayan has racked up over 30 goals in the previous season for Benfica and ranks in the 97th percentile for non-penalty goals, 91st for progressive carries and 88th for dribbles completed. He also showed his defensive abilities in 2021/22, ranking in the 81st percentile for interceptions and 76th for tackles compared to other players across the top five leagues in his position (as per FBRef).
Considering Liverpool were unlucky not to beat Los Blancos in the Champions League final, acquiring a player of Nunez’s calibre to play alongside Mohamed Salah and a more settled Luis Diaz is going to make them even stronger, and the Reds could easily see themselves in back-to-back finals once again – and the last time they did that, they won the second time around.
Will Nunez dominate at Liverpool?Yes
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