Liverpool ready to break transfer record to land 34-goal striker

Liverpool are reportedly ready to break their club transfer record to land Benfica striker Darwin Nunez this summer. 

As per The Daily Star, the Reds are ready to pay more than £80 million to sign the player, which would eclipse the £75 million that they shelled out for Virgil van Dijk back in 2018.

Nunez has enjoyed a remarkable season in the Portuguese top flight, scoring 26 goals in 28 games and also adding a further six goals to his tally in the Champions League, including scoring in both legs of Benfica’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Liverpool.

The Uruguayan has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe, including Manchester United, but the report suggests that Jurgen Klopp’s side have pulled ahead of The Red Devils in the race to land the 22-year-old.

Klopp could lose as many as four of his current crop of attackers this summer, with Divock Origi’s exit having already been confirmed, Sadio Mane pushing for an exit and both Takumi Minamino and Roberto Firmino also linked with Anfield departures.

Nunez could be on his way to Anfield

Nunez is a proven goalscorer both domestically and in Europe and, like many of Klopp’s current attackers, is versatile and can play in a number of roles across the frontline.

Those in charge at Anfield have already been in talks with their Portuguese counterparts and it is understood that the player favours a move to Liverpool over Manchester due to United having missed out on Champions League qualification.

Benfica are thought to be holding out for as much as £85 million though, but it is likely that the Reds would agree to that fee if a deal could be agreed this summer.