Darwin Nunez transfer saga comes to an end as Premier League giants win race for Benfica star
The Darwin Nunez transfer saga has reportedly come to an end. After weeks and weeks of speculation, one Premier League side have allegedly won the race for the highly-rated Uruguayan striker.
Surprise, surprise – that club is none other than Liverpool. The Merseyside giants had intensified their interest in the Benfica sensation after it became apparent that Sadio Mane will be leaving Anfield this summer. The 22-year-old is seen as the ideal replacement for the Senegalese superstar as Nunez is able to play down the middle as a no.9, which is his preferred position, or out wide on the left.
Initially, Manchester United and Newcastle were the two clubs linked with heavy interest in the forward but Klopp's side swiftly hijacked this move and are now preparing to bring another South American talent from the Primeira Liga to Merseyside.
According to Portuguese football expert Pedro Sepúlveda of SIC Notícias, the Red Devils are officially out of the race for the player, with Nunez informing his family and friends that he is headed to Liverpool. The attacker will sign a five-year deal and will pocket €6M per year, which translates to $6.3M. All that is left is for Benfica to give this move the green light and that is seen as inevitable.
It's DONE. @Darwinn99 is going to @LFC . @ManUtd is out of the race. Contract of 5 years with a salary of 6 million euros net per season. Darwin Núñez already announced the decision to his family and friends. Liverpool is just waiting for @SLBenfica 'yes'. pic.twitter.com/4O3Oq0RguQ
— Pedro Sepúlveda (@pedromsepulveda) June 10, 2022
Additionally, Uruguayan journalist Sebas Giovanelli has offered a similar take on Darwin's situation, writing that the goalscorer will be teaming up with Jurgen Klopp this summer. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano also weighed in with an update, stating that the UEFA Champions League runners-up have made an official €80M ($84M) bid with an additional €15/20M ($15.8-$21M) in add-ons.
Benfica have received Liverpool bid for Darwin Núñez, formal proposal after verbal talks - €80m plus bonuses. #LFC
Discussions ongoing on €15/20m add-ons, LFC want installments. Potential five year deal.
Man United in contact with agent & denying any meeting with ten Hag. pic.twitter.com/Y0zqFzIwiM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 10, 2022
Nunez's move to Anfield now looks like a matter of when, not if. With the Uruguayan set to join the Reds and Erling Haaland having signed for Manchester City, the Premier League will have two of the hottest young strikers in world football.
