Liverpool are reportedly set to test the waters for Benfica forward Darwin Nunez as they look to find a replacement for Sadio Mane this summer.
The Senegal forward seems destined to depart Anfield, with Bayern Munich the sole party credited with an interest at present, and that will leave a sizeable gap in Jurgen Klopp’s frontline.
And, according to reports, it is one that they are interested in plugging with Darwin Nunez, who scored in each leg of the Champions League clash between Liverpool and Benfica.
The 22-year-old was linked with West Ham and Newcastle in January, but his 26 goals in 28 Liga Portuguese games has seen him leave mid-table links behind, now targeting a move to a Champions League club.
It means that Arsenal and Manchester United, though interested, are well down in the pecking order.
And, as per the reliable Fabrizio Romano, it is Liverpool that are ready to shell out on the forward, with the reds verbally communicating an opening offer of around 80m euros (£69m) including add-ons.
Liverpool are planning to prepare an opening, verbal bid for Darwin Núñez to test water with Benfica. Proposal could be around €80m with add-ons. Manchester United also in contact with Núñez’s agent. ?? #LFC
Both clubs guarantee they have no intention to enter into bidding war. pic.twitter.com/pH559Xnpuy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 8, 2022
Some sources, such as Gianluigi Longari, even claim that a deal is further down the line than that, with personal terms already agreed and a fee close to agreement.
#Liverpool close to reach an agreement with #Benfica for striker Darwin Nunez. #LFC Agreement on personal terms. @tvdellosport
— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) June 8, 2022
What does seem clear, however, is that Liverpool are stepping up their search for a replacement for Sadio Mane even as they turned down a second Bayern Munich bid on Wednesday.
Read more:
Wednesday’s transfer rumours: De Vrij, Nunez, Torres, Calvert-Lewin, Bissouma & more
Bayern Munich include bizarre add-on in second bid for Liverpool’s Sadio Mane
Liverpool betting odds, next game:
Liverpool’s latest videos
130 GREATEST LIVERPOOL GOALS | 120-111 | Xabi Alonso from the halfway line
To celebrate the Reds’ 130th anniversary, we continue looking at the best goal ever…
2022-06-07T14:00:18Z
130 GREATEST LIVERPOOL GOALS | 130-121 | Two overhead kicks & a Sturridge special
To celebrate the Reds’ 130th anniversary, we begin taking a look at the best…
2022-06-06T14:00:14Z
Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Manchester City | 38 | 73 | 93 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 38 | 68 | 92 |
| 3 | Chelsea FC | 38 | 43 | 74 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 29 | 71 |
| 5 | Arsenal FC | 38 | 13 | 69 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 38 | 0 | 58 |
| 7 | West Ham United | 38 | 9 | 56 |
| 8 | Leicester City | 38 | 3 | 52 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 38 | -2 | 51 |
| 10 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 38 | -5 | 51 |
| 11 | Newcastle United | 38 | -18 | 49 |
| 12 | Crystal Palace | 38 | 4 | 48 |
| 13 | Brentford FC | 38 | -8 | 46 |
| 14 | Aston Villa | 38 | -2 | 45 |
| 15 | Southampton FC | 38 | -24 | 40 |
| 16 | Everton FC | 38 | -23 | 39 |
| 17 | Leeds United | 38 | -37 | 38 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 38 | -19 | 35 |
| 19 | Watford FC | 38 | -43 | 23 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 38 | -61 | 22 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 23 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 23 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 18 |
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur | 17 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 16 |
| De Bruyne, Kevin | Manchester City | 15 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 15 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 15 |
| Zaha, Wilfried | Crystal Palace | 14 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City | 13 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 12 |
| Maddison, James | Leicester City | 12 |
| Toney, Ivan | Brentford FC | 12 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 11 |
| Saka, Bukayo | Arsenal FC | 11 |
| Mahrez, Riyad | Manchester City | 11 |
| Richarlison | Everton FC | 11 |
| Pukki, Teemu | Norwich City | 11 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 11 |
| Watkins, Ollie | Aston Villa | 11 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mings, Tyrone | Aston Villa | 0 | 11 |
| Xhaka, Granit | Arsenal FC | 1 | 10 |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 0 | 11 |
| Firpo, Junior | Leeds United | 0 | 11 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 0 | 10 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 0 | 10 |
| Brownhill, Josh | Burnley FC | 0 | 10 |
| Bednarek, Jan | Southampton FC | 0 | 10 |
| Bissouma, Yves | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 10 |
| Moreno, Rodrigo | Leeds United | 0 | 9 |
| Neves, Ruben | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 9 |
| Romeu, Oriol | Southampton FC | 0 | 9 |
| Rudiger, Antonio | Chelsea FC | 0 | 9 |
| Mctominay, Scott | Manchester United | 0 | 9 |
| Salisu, Mohammed | Southampton FC | 0 | 8 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 0 | 8 |
| Toney, Ivan | Brentford FC | 0 | 8 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 0 | 7 |
| Richarlison | Everton FC | 0 | 8 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 1 | 7 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 13 |
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 12 |
| Barnes, Harvey | Leicester City | 11 |
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur | 10 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 10 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 10 |
| Robertson, Andy | Liverpool FC | 10 |
| Maddison, James | Leicester City | 9 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 9 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 9 |
| Cancelo, Joao | Manchester City | 9 |
| De Bruyne, Kevin | Manchester City | 8 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 8 |
| Kulusevski, Dejan | Tottenham Hotspur | 8 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 7 |
| Saka, Bukayo | Arsenal FC | 7 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 7 |
| Lacazette, Alexandre | Arsenal FC | 7 |
| Mbeumo, Bryan | Brentford FC | 7 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 6 |
