Report: Liverpool prepared to meet Benfica's €100M asking price for Nunez

Liverpool are prepared to break their transfer record to land Darwin Nunez.

The Reds are willing to pay €80 million plus €20 million in add-ons after being undeterred by Benfica’s hefty asking price for the coveted Uruguayan striker, according to The Guardian’s Andy Hunter and Fabrizio Romano.

The most Liverpool have paid for a player is the £75 million that Virgil van Dijk cost to sign from Southampton in 2018.

Nunez starred for Benfica last season, leading the Portuguese club and the Primeira Liga with 26 league goals. He also had eight Champions League goals, including two against Liverpool in the quarterfinals.

The 22-year-old is considered the club’s top target, as manager Jurgen Klopp attempts to refurbish an attack that could lose Sadio Mane this summer.

The Senegal international has been heavily linked with a transfer to Bayern Munich after six years at Anfield. It’s understood Liverpool have rejected bids of £25 million and £30 million, but Bayern are likely to return with an improved offer.

Adding Nunez as a replacement could expedite Mane’s possible departure if Bayern meet Liverpool’s valuation, which is reportedly worth more than £40 million, Hunter adds.

Manchester United have also been linked to Nunez but are likely to miss out after failing to secure a spot in the Champions League next season. United will instead feature in the Europa League during manager Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge.