Liverpool have announced the signing of Darwin Nunez from Benfica for a fee of up to £ 85 million.
The Uruguayan international, who turns 23 next week, was Portugal’s top scorer last season with 26 goals and a total of 34, including one in each of the quarterfinal matches of the Benfica Champions League with Liverpool.
His arrival with a six-year contract should clear the way for Sadio Mane to join Bayern Munich. Talks continue on the transfer of the Senegalese striker, who said he wanted a new challenge.
The initial fee for Nunez will be £ 64 million, but that fee could rise to £ 85 million if he reaches certain stages in his Liverpool career, including winning the Champions League. The signing is subject to an international permit and approval of a work permit.
Liverpool see the signing as a statement of intent in an attempt to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title and is another feather in the hat of new sporting director Julian Ward, who moved quickly to ward off interest from Manchester United.
Ward, who plays the role of the influential Michael Edwards, was a key player in the recruitment of Luis Diaz in January, and the club believes that concluding the deal earlier will allow Nunez to settle down and enjoy a full preseason.
The striker, who is expected to earn around £ 140,000 a week at Anfield, told the club’s official website: “I am really happy and happy to be here in Liverpool. This is a huge club.
Darwin Nunez will wear the T-shirt number 27, released by the traveler to Milan Divok Origi. Photo: Nick Taylor / Liverpool / Getty Images
“I would like to thank my partner, my parents and my son, who is a real source of pride for me. They were really important to me in the stages of my career. I am really proud of them and for the work we do, my partner and I, as a team, and I am grateful to her for being here.
“It is a pleasure to be here in Liverpool and I am very happy to be part of this great club. I have played against Liverpool and I have seen them in many matches in the Champions League and this is my style of play. There are some great players here and I think that will suit my style of play here.
“Like I said, I’ve watched a lot and it’s a very big club and I hope I can give everything I have to help the team.”
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Nunez will wear the number 27 shirt for Liverpool and becomes the third Uruguayan to sign with the club, after Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates.
“When I arrived at the training ground, I was really surprised to see the setting, the structure and all the trophies here,” he added. “Then you can imagine you’re winning more trophies, and then later, when you come here again and see the trophies on display, you can say, ‘Look, I was part of it, I was there at the time, I was winning trophies.’ . “
“This is one of the reasons why I came here to Liverpool – to win trophies and titles. I want to win a lot of trophies in Liverpool. “
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