Liverpool are close to agreeing a deal for Benfica striker Nunez: reports

London (AFP) – Liverpool are reportedly close to signing Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez from Benfica in a deal that could be worth up to £85 million ($104 million).

The Premier League club have been in talks with Benfica for several weeks and Liverpool’s new sporting director Julian Ward has reportedly finally negotiated a swoop for one of the game’s hottest properties.

It was reported on Sunday that Liverpool had agreed to pay an initial fee of £64m, with £12.8m potentially payable in appearance-related supplements and a further £8.5m depending on success of the team.

If all conditions are met, the 22-year-old’s transfer will eclipse Liverpool’s club-record fee of £75m, paid to Southampton for Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk in 2018.

Nunez, who was left out of the Uruguay squad in Saturday’s 5-0 friendly win over Panama, is set to start a medical on Monday that could take two days.

Personal terms shouldn’t be a problem as the player has expressed his desire to play for Reds manager Jurgen Klopp despite interest from Manchester United.

Nunez, who is set to sign a six-year contract with Liverpool, scored 26 goals in 28 league appearances for Benfica last season.

He scored in both legs of Benfica’s Champions League quarter-final loss to Liverpool in April, earning praise from Klopp.

Nunez is set to arrive at Anfield as a direct replacement for Sadio Mane after Bayern Munich stepped up their pursuit of the Senegal striker.

Liverpool have rejected two offers from the Bundesliga champions and are expecting more than £40million for Mane, who has one year left on his contract.