Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign highly-rated striker Darwin Nunez from Benfica, the Portuguese club announced.
Benfica released a statement in the early hours of Monday morning confirming the deal.
The club said an initial fee of £64million, potentially rising to £85m, had been agreed.
It means the Nunez transfer could eventually surpass the £75m Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk, their current record.
The transfer is subject to the striker agreeing personal terms and completing a medical.
Nunez become one of the most coveted young talents in football last season as he fired in 34 goals in 41 appearances. That included two in the Champions League against Liverpool.
Liverpool’s rivals Manchester United were also keen on the 22-year-old, but Jurgen Klopp won the race for his signature.
The move to sign the Uruguay international is also likely to pave the way for Sadio Mane’s exit from the club.
Mane is keen to leave Anfield this summer and Bayern Munich have seen two bids rejected – the first of £25m and the second worth £30m.
It is believed that Liverpool are holding out for around £40million.
It means Klopp will keep some tremendous strength in depth in attack, and may just be the ideal response to rivals Man City signing Erling Haaland.
Comparisons between the players have also been made by none other than Liverpool centre-back Van Dijk.
When asked the toughest opponent he has played against, Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk told Rio Ferdinand: “I’ve played against Sergio Aguero, who is obviously unbelievable. [Lionel] Messi, arguably the best player in the history of football, in my opinion.
“[Kylian] Mbappe is different quick. It’s a different type of striker we face who is doing well in the name of [Erling] Haaland, also Darwin [Nunez].
“He’s a bit similar, very direct and quick, tall and strong. It’s quite difficult to play against those guys.”
Source: Talk Sport