Darwin Nunez has joined Liverpool from Benfica in a deal worth up to €100 million (£85.4 million).
Nunez, 22, is one of Jurgen Klopp’s main targets for the summer transfer season.
Nunez, who has signed a six-year deal with Liverpool, had a breakout season with Benfica in Portugal, scoring 34 goals in 41 appearances and shining in the Champions League.
Manchester United had also showed interest in signing the 22-year-old, but Liverpool emerged victorious in the contest, paying €100 million (£85.4 million) for his talents.
Liverpool will pay €75 million (£64.08 million) upfront plus a further €25 million (£21.3 million) in add-ons, according to a statement made by Benfica on Monday.
Nunez might so become Liverpool’s most expensive signing, surpassing the £75 million paid to Southampton for Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk.
Who is Darwin Nunez?
Nunez joined Almeria in August 2019 after graduating from the Uruguayan club Penarol’s academy.
He only lasted one season in the Segunda Division, scoring 16 goals in 32 games, before joining Benfica in a then-club-record €24 million move.
Nunez flourished in Portugal, winning the Bola de Prata for top goal scorer in the Primeira Liga with 26 goals in 28 appearances.
Nunez’s performance throughout the 2021-22 season made him one of Europe’s most sought-after players, with Liverpool competing against Manchester United and Real Madrid for his services.
The potential of playing for a team competing for both domestic and European crowns, as well as the opportunity to work under Jurgen Klopp, appears to have persuaded Nunez that his future belongs at Anfield.
Nunez, an agile forward with a variety of excellent attributes and an exceptional attitude, appears to be tailor-made for Klopp’s Liverpool and appears destined to head the line, with Mohamed Salah on the right and Luis Diaz on the left.
Nunez was signed in part to replace Sadio Mane, who is close to joining Bayern Munich. Despite postponing a contract extension, Salah is expected to stay.
Klopp sees Nunez as an excellent replacement for Sadio Mane, who is set to join Bayern Munich in the coming weeks despite Liverpool having previously rejected two offers from the German champions.
Before Liverpool’s Champions League match against Benfica in April, Klopp described Nunez as a “extremely good looking boy, huh?” And a competent player.
‘Really good, 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.’
Liverpool won two titles last season, but their chances of completing a historic quadruple were dashed when they were defeated to the Premier League title by Manchester City and lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid.