Having watched reports of players ready to leave the club filter through since the defeat in Paris, Liverpool fans need a lift. Well, news that the club is potentially in talks with SL Benfica over star striker Darwin Nunez would definitely lift spirits. The Uruguayan has shown what he can do already, scoring against Liverpool when Benfica met the Reds in the UEFA Champions League quarter finals.
Liverpool are believed to be keen to sign Nunez as one of the replacements for Sadio Mane. Manchester United are also believed to be in the move for the player, but it is expected that he would prefer a move to a team playing in the UEFA Champions League. Nunez, 22, hit over 30 goals this year for Benfica – a whopping 34 goals in 41 games – and is seen as one of the hottest properties on the transfer market.
Intriguingly, other names linked include Internazionale and Real Madrid – all teams looking to add a new forward to their books. Liverpool are believed to feel confident they could do a deal, but it all comes down to what Benfica ask for in terms of the fee.
The Lisbon club are known not to mess around when it comes to fees, and will look to get as much as they can for the best player at the club currently. Seen as one of the best young forwards in the world, Nunez has proven beyond all doubt that he can play at an elite level.
His progress in the UCL – scoring against Ajax, Liverpool, and also against FC Barcelona in the groups – has shown that he is a player who can make the next step up. At 22, he would also fit the kind of age profile that the club tend to target.
Liverpool need to move fast to secure Nunez deal
The problem for the Reds comes down to timing. Liverpool are currently in the process of trying to agree an exit for Sadio Mane. Before he leaves, it is unlikely they could do a deal for Nunez. This means that precious weeks could pass without progress, opening up the chance of the Reds missing out on an interesting target.
Nunez, it is believed, wants to get his future sorted ASAP. Liverpool cannot afford to hang around, as other continental giants see the player as the perfect summer signing. Madrid are believed to see him as the ideal option to rotate with Karim Benzema, having missed out on Kylian Mbappe in embarrassing fashion.
Therefore, if Liverpool want to have Nunez playing in their shade of red next year, they need to move fast. Several players have joined Liverpool in recent years over domestic rivals, and made their rivals regret their tardiness. If Nunez ends up at Old Trafford, it could be a case of the roles being reversed.
Fans of the Reds need a pick-me-up, and signing one of the hottest striking properties in world football would almost certainly do that.
