Sources: Liverpool ‘hot’ on signing Darwin Nunez as approach lined up
Liverpool are lining up an approach for Benfica forward Darwin Nunez after learning he is open to joining them in the summer, Football Insider understands.
The Uruguay forward, 22, is one of the most in-demand forwards in Europe following his stunning goalscoring exploits in 2021-22.
A Liverpool source has told Football Insider that their interest in Nunez is strong after running the rule closely over him in the recently-completed domestic campaign.
The Merseysiders are lining up a formal move for a player they are “hot” on, not only due to his goalscoring but also his profile.
Nunez can play down the middle, behind the main striker or on the left flank, and has the technical and physical gifts essential for any elite Jurgen Klopp target.
Intriguingly, the 10-times Uruguay international is also “keen” on joining Liverpool, the source added, as he eyes a summer move from Benfica.
Talks with clubs will be spearheaded by Nunez’s new agent Jorge Mendes, widely regarded as the most influential player representative in the game.
Liverpool have already signed one south American forward from the Portugese league this year, with Luis Diaz being a resounding success since his January move from Porto.
Nunez will also come with a hefty price tag.
He was the subject of a £40m bid from West Ham in January after coming close to joining Brighton last summer for £22m.
He is now valued at beyond the £55m mark by Benfica, who are increasingly likely to cash in on him this summer.
Benfica signed Nunez from Spanish outfit Almeria in the summer of 2020 for a club-record £20m.
Nunez scored 14 goals and supplied 12 assists in his debut season and has gone to a new level since being forced to miss last summer’s Copa America due to a knee injury.
The striker 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.
In other news, Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign wide man ahead of Premier League rivals.