Liverpool have completed the signing of talented Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez from Portuguese outfit Benfica. The 22-year-old has moved for an initial fee of £64m, potentially rising to as much as £85m with add-ons, and has put pen to paper a six-year-contract.
Nunez was acquired by Benfica in 2020 for a then club record 24 million euros from Spanish side Almeria. The 21/22 campaign was his breakthrough season in Portugal, with the lanky striker scoring a whopping 34 goals in 41 games for SLB. He also impressed in their Champions League knockoutclash against the Reds, scoring in both legs despite Benfica losing 6-4 on aggregate.
Nunez’s signing is aimed at replenishing Liverpool’s attacking stocks, with Divock Origi having left the club and Takumi Minamino and Sadio Mane both expected to leave this summer. He will wear the No.27 shirt vacated by Origi.
Liverpool will be hoping that Nunez can replicate the success that Luis Suarez, the club’s last Uruguayan forward before him, had at Anfield. He becomes the third player from Uruguay to play for the Reds after Suarez and defender Sebastian Coates.
Liverpool finished second in both the Premier League and Champions League last season, but did manage to win two trophies in the form of both the League and FA Cup.
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