Sources: Darwin Nunez tells Benfica he wants to sign for Liverpool within days as deal edges closer
Darwin Nunez has told Benfica he wants to quit the club and join Liverpool in a clear sign the transfer is close to completion, Football Insider understands.
The Merseyside giants have entered talks with their Portugese counterparts over a deal worth over £60million plus add-ons that could take it towards the £80m mark.
A Liverpool source has told Football Insider that Nunez, 22, is pushing for the move to be sealed “as soon as possible” and would even want it done by the end of the week if that is possible.
That could prove too early, but negotiations are accelerating and the Champions League finalists have already offered the Uruguay international a lucrative long-term contract.
Personal terms will not be an issue for the player, who will secure a bumper pay rise by quitting Benfica for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
He has been lined up as the replacement for Sadio Mane, who is closing in on a move to Bayern Munich.
Liverpool want a deal for Nunez in place before giving the green light for the Senegal forward to join the German champions.
Able to operate down the middle, behind the main striker or on the left flank, the Uruguay forward, 22, is one of the most in-demand forwards in Europe following his stunning goalscoring exploits in 2021-22.
He netted 34 goals from 41 matches in all competitions in 2021-22, including strikes in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Liverpool.
Talks between the clubs are being spearheaded by Nunez’s new agent Jorge Mendes, widely regarded as the most influential player representative in the game.
Benfica signed Nunez from Spanish outfit Almeria in the summer of 2020 for a club-record £20m.
In other news, Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign wide man ahead of Premier League rivals.