Michael
Liverpool have announced the signing of Darwin Nunez from Portuguese side Benfica. According to reports, Benfica will receive €75m plus €25m in add-ons for the 22-year-old.
The Uruguay international has signed a 6-year contract with Liverpool and will reportedly earn £140,000-per-week. Liverpool battled with Manchester United and Atletico Madrid contesting the signature of Nunez.
The 22-year-old international scored 34 times for Benfica last season in his 41 appearances. In April, Nunez netted goals for Benfica in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Liverpool. The Uruguayan is Liverpool’s second signing of the summer transfer window, along with Fabio Carvalho from Fulham. His move is subject to a work permit and international clearance.
The transfer fee falls short of the club record 75 million pounds ($89.92 million) Liverpool paid for defender Virgil van Dijk in January 2018.
However, Nunez’s fee could rise to 85 million pounds, if he reaches individual targets and if he wins the Champions League.
Nunez stated on the club’s official website that he is very happy and delighted to be at the massive club, Liverpool.
Nunez will wear the No 27 shirt at Anfield and he is the third Uruguayan to be signed by the club.
The Uruguay footballer further added that he has watched Liverpool in quite a lot of games and it’s a very big club and he hopes to give everything to help the team. “I want to win a lot of trophies at Liverpool,” said the former Benfica forward.
Nunez was the top scorer in Portugal’s top flight last season and scored 34 goals in all competitions for Benfica, including strikes in both legs of the club’s Champions League quarter-final defeat by Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp welcomes new signing.
Nunez is sure to bolster the attacking options for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who already has the services of Mo Salah, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino to call upon.
“ This is super news, really super news,” the German manager said. “I’m very grateful to everyone at the club for making it happen. We’ve shown decisiveness and ambition in equal measure.
“Darwin is a wonderful player; already really good but so much potential to get even better. That’s why it’s so exciting, to be honest. His age, his desire, his hunger to be even better than he currently is. His belief in our project and what we are looking to do as a club.”
His move is subject to the successful granting of a work permit and international clearance.
Nunez’s arrival comes after Belgian striker Divock Origi left the club while the Uruguayan’s move also paves the way for Sadio Mane to leave Anfield, with the Senegalese forward linked with German champions Bayern Munich.
