Liverpool ‘ARE interested in £68m Benfica star Darwin Nunez’ and Jurgen Klopp’s side have joined Manchester United in race for lethal Uruguayan striker ‘but not at any cost’
- Darwin Nunez scored in both games against Liverpool in the Champions League
- Jurgen Klopp is an admirer of the striker and Reds are interested in him
- Manchester United have been targeting forward but face stiff competition
- Liverpool will not break bank for Nunez but are under pressure to sign a forward
Liverpool ‘are interested in Benfica star Darwin Nunez’ but will not pay over the odds for the lethal striker.
Manchester United are also keen on the Uruguayan and now face competition from Jurgen Klopp’s side this summer.
According to the Times, Liverpool hold a concrete interest in Nunez but ‘not at any cost’. He is understood to valued at around £68m and be leaning towards teams playing Champions League football.
Liverpool are reportedly plotting a move for Benfica striker Darwin Nunez this summer
Nunez scored against Liverpool in both games against the Reds in the Champions League
Klopp spoke about his admiration of Nunez before Liverpool played Benfica in April
The 22-year-old is widely expected to leave Benfica when the transfer window opens and the Portuguese side will hope to spark a bidding war for his signature.
Nunez has been one of Europe’s breakout stars of this season, scoring an astonishing 34 goals in 40 appearances.
Liverpool understand there is value to be found in Portugal having signed Luis Diaz from Porto in January.
Newcastle also hold an interest in Nunez but face an uphill struggle to convince him that St James’ Park should be his next destination. The Magpies are also closing in on a move for £34m Hugo Ekitike, which would appear to make another big-money striker less likely.
Nunez was prolific last season and is on the radar of some of Europe’s top sides
He would be a marquee signing for Erik ten Hag’s revolution at United, but the Dutchman will be uneasy at Liverpool’s presence in the race to sign him.
United’s huge number of departing players including Juan Mata, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani mean there are expected to be numerous incomings at Old Trafford.
But Cristiano Ronaldo recently said he will be staying at Old Trafford, a clear factor for Nunez to consider if he wants regular game time through the middle.
Liverpool clearly have the advantage over United in terms of playing in the Champions League next season and their project has more of an immediate trophy-winning capacity.
Erik ten Hag wants Nunez as part of his Manchester United revolution at Old Trafford
Nunez is a powerful presence up front and has become a regular for his country
Klopp was full of praise for the South American when Benfica took on Liverpool in the Champions League last season and the Reds need to reinforce their forward line with Sadio Mane heading for the exit door.
Back in April, the German joked: ‘Extremely good looking boy, huh?
‘And a decent player as well,’ he added. ‘Really good, really good. I knew before, of course, but he played pretty much in front of me with his tough battles with Ibrahima Konate.
‘He was physically strong, quick, was calm around his finish. Good, really good. I always say in these situations if he is healthy, it’s a big career ahead of him.’
Nunez has come on leaps and bound this season compared to his last campaign.
He joined Benfica for £20m from Almeria and struck 14 goals in 44 matches. Evidently still learning his craft, the hot prospect, who is a physical presence up front could be one of the buys of the summer.
The forward can hold the ball up and also finish well, as shown by his 34 goals last term
Source: Daily Mail Online