Liverpool has moved swiftly to tie up a deal for Darwin Nunez from Benfica. He arrived as an early replacement for Sadio Mane who is expected to complete his move to Bayern Munichen before the end of this summer transfer window.
The Reds broke the bank to secure the service of the 22-year-old striker. The deal is worth up to eighty-five million pounds, which is significantly more than the fee paid to secure the signature of Virgil Van Dijk in 2018.
The young Uruguayan striker signed a six years contract with Liverpool today after the Reds completed the paper works with Benfica. Nunez flew to England on Monday to complete the deal which was officially announced today by the club.
Liverpool’s club record signing was given the shirt number of Divock Origi, who left the club as a free agent to join AC Milan. The No. 27 shirt inherited by the 22-year-old was also worn by Gregory Vignal and Philipp Degen.
Recall that Darwin wore the No. 9 shirt at Benfica but Roberto Firmino currently occupies the number and he is not expected to leave the club this summer. There are reports that he will be handed the No. 10 shirt which looks set to be vacated when Mane’s move to Bayern for forty million pounds is confirmed.
Nunez is expected to join Jurgen Klopp’s side on July 4, when they start their pre-season training at AXA Training Centre. Liverpool will play Manchester United in Bangkok on July 12 for preseason. Recall that Man Utd rivalled Liverpool for the signature of Nunez but the striker chose Liverpool over the Red Devils.