Liverpool now ‘frontrunners’ for ‘amazing’ £40.5m star at Anfield

Liverpool are in pole position to sign highly-rated Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Reds have been linked with a record move for the 22-year-old as they plan on signing a replacement for Sadio Mane.

What’s the latest news involving Nunez?

Despite being just two games away from winning an unprecedented quadruple, Jurgen Klopp is already looking at how he can improve his squad, who claimed both domestic cups last season.

According to Sky Sports, the striker is keen on moving to Anfield, but the Reds face competition from North West rivals Manchester United, who are also in the race for the goalscorer’s signature.

The report states that Liverpool are yet to launch a bid, although they’ll have to break their transfer record to bring the Uruguay international to Anfield.

Liverpool’s current record signing is Virgil van Dijk, who was signed for £75m, from Southampton back in January 2019, but the Reds will need to pay at least £10m more than that, with Benfica demanding £85.5m for Nunez.

The Athletic reported that Benfica’s asking price could prove a ‘stumbling block’ for the Anfield club, but O’Rourke reckons that Klopp’s side are in a strong position to make Nunez their second summer signing.

What did O’Rourke say about Nunez?

He told GIVEMESPORT: “You’ve got to say that Liverpool are frontrunners for Nunez, they have seemingly made him their number one target to bring into their attack for next season.”

“The opportunity to play in the Champions League is a big thing for these top players as well as the lure of working under Jurgen Klopp.”

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Why do Liverpool want to sign Nunez?

First and foremost, Liverpool need to replace Mane, who could end his six year stay at the club and join Bayern Munich.

Despite spending the majority of his Anfield career playing out wide, behind Mohamed Salah, Mane has been the club’s main source of goals and hit double figures in the league in each of his six seasons.

Therefore, Liverpool need to bring in someone who’s prolific in and around the box, and they weren’t many better than Nunez in that department last term.

In just 41 appearances for Benfica, the frontman scored 34 goals, which takes his overall career tally to 51 in club football.

Nunez scored 26 goals in 28 top-flight games, but also proved himself on the Champions League stage, notching six goals in 10 outings, including in Benfica’s 3-3 draw at Anfield in the knockouts.

As a result of his form, Van Dijk compared him to Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, while his ex-assistant manager at Almeria, David Badia, described him as ‘amazing‘.

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