Liverpool's Darwin Nunez transfer is being held up by expensive Benfica demands.
Darwin Nunez is getting closer to joining Liverpool as the Reds look for a marquee signing, but Benfica's financial demands are causing a stumbling block in talks.
Liverpool and Benfica are still £8 million apart in their pursuit of the highly sought-after Darwin Nunez.
The forward had a breakout season in Portugal, scoring over 30 goals, including one at Anfield, and is now on the radar of Europe's top clubs. The Reds are in pole position to sign the Uruguayan, but the initial cost is preventing any potential deal from moving forward.
According to The Times, Liverpool want to pay £60 million upfront for the player, while his current club wants £68 million upfront with add-ons taking the deal up to £85 million - a club record fee. As a result, Julian Ward, Anfield's new head transfer guru, has flown out to Lisbon to discuss the financial disparity as they seek to reduce the original fee.
He'll be haggling with Benfica's Rui Pedro Braz and Rui Costa to continue Liverpool's savvy transfer activity after taking over from Michael Edwards. According to The Guardian, if a deal is reached, the 22-year-old will sign a five-year contract with Merseyside.
Manchester United have also been linked with Nunez as they look for more firepower to back up Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford. They have been hesitant to enter into a bidding war with Premier League rivals, and the player himself is thought to prefer a move to Liverpool.
The Reds are looking to bolster a forward line that already includes Mo Salah, the PFA Player of the Year, and Luis Diaz, who joined from Porto in January. They may, however, be about to lose an established star in Sadio Mane.
Last season, the Senegalese forward scored 23 goals as Liverpool finished second in both the domestic and European leagues. He's been at Anfield since 2016, but he only has a year left on his contract and has shown no desire to stay. He appears to be more likely to relocate.
Bayern Munich are interested in the winger but have had some initial bids rejected by Liverpool, but this is unlikely to be the end of negotiations. Mane joked about leaving Liverpool, but later clarified, saying, "I spoke yesterday while joking with a bit of humour, and it was everywhere." I believe we will end here. Liverpool is a club I hold in high regard. Since the beginning, the fans have been my family. We'll see what happens in the future.
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