Liverpool agree personal terms with Darwin NunezBy David Ornstein and James Pearce
Liverpool have reached an agreement on personal terms with Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, The Athletic understands.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Liverpool had entered into talks with the Portuguese club and would have to break their transfer record to sign Nunez. They have now moved a step closer to securing his signature.
Sources indicate that nothing has been signed with the player and that there is no agreement in place between the clubs. Any deal Benfica do to sell Nunez is expected to be worth around €100 million (£85.5 million) in total.
Discussions are thought to be ongoing over the structure of the deal. Benfica are believed to want around €80 million guaranteed with a further €20 million in performance related add-ons they deem to be realistic.
Jurgen Klopp is a big admirer of the Uruguayan striker as the club target a replacement for Sadio Mane, who is expected to join Bayern Munich.
Liverpool rejected a second bid for Mane from the German side on Wednesday worth £30 million.
Liverpool believe Nunez, who scored 34 goals in 41 appearances for Benfica in 2021-22, would be the perfect fit in terms of his style and his ability to play out wide and through the middle.
Benfica bought Nunez from Almeria for €24 million in 2020 and the Spanish club would be entitled to 20 per cent of any profit if as expected the attacker moves on this summer.
The 22-year-old impressed Klopp and his staff when he scored against Liverpool in both legs of their Champions League quarter-final.
Prior to April’s 3-3 draw at Anfield, Klopp said: “Extremely good looking boy, huh? And a decent player as well. 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. I always say in these situations if he is healthy, it’s a big career ahead of him.”
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