According to journalist Gianluigi Longari, Liverpool are now ‘close’ to reaching an agreement to sign Benfica striker Darwin Nunez and have agreed personal terms with the player.
The Lowdown: Nunez attracting interest
The 22-year-old first joined the Primeira Liga outfit in a £21.6m move from UD Almeria back in 2020, where he’s since gone on to make 84 appearances during his two-year spell at the club to date.
Even though the forward still has three years remaining on his contract at the Estadio da Luz, his outstanding displays in Portugal appear to have caught the eye of Premier League clubs, with Fabrizio Romano revealing way back in March that Nunez is a 'big name to watch in the summer'.
The Latest: Liverpool close to reaching agreement
In a post on his personal Twitter account, Longari, a fellow transfer specialist in Italy, confirmed the news that Nunez is very ‘close’ to completing the switch to Anfield. He wrote.
“Liverpool close to reach an agreement with Benfica for striker Darwin Nunez. LFC Agreement on personal terms.”
The reporter then followed on later on Wednesday evening with further confirmation of a five-year contract.
"Confirmed by some other reliable sources Darwin Nunez has a total agreement with Liverpool on personal terms (2027) - First offer from LFC to Benfica to find a total agreement - Darwin Nunez never been so close to Liverpool."
The Verdict: The perfect reinforcement
With the future of duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane currently up in the air, it comes as no surprise to see Jurgen Klopp already looking for reinforcements in the final third, and the ten-cap international has all of the ingredients to be the perfect replacement.
Nunez, who was once hailed a “sensational” talent by Fox Sports reporter James Dodd, has been prolific in front of goal this season, having found the back of the net 26 times in just 28 league outings for Benfica, as well as chipping in with four assists, as per Transfermarkt.
Regardless of who stays and who leaves, this attacking prowess is exactly what the German boss needs in his starting XI if he wants his team to continue to be serious contenders for big honours.