Liverpool players past and present have spoken highly of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez who looks set to move to Anfield this summer.
The Uruguayan star has reportedly agreed terms with the Reds and Jurgen Klopp’s side are in talks with Benfica, with the Portuguese club looking to collect a fee of around £85m for the 22-year-old.
Nunez is one of the highest-rated youngsters in the world and Manchester United were also very keen to land his signature, but the appeal of playing under Klopp and the lure of Champions League appears to have convinced him to join Liverpool.
Among those to have sung Nunez’s praises is current Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk who played against the striker in the Champions League last campaign.
Back in May, when talking to Rio Ferdinand about the toughest strikers he has faced in his career, the Dutchman said: ‘He’s a bit similar [to Erling Haaland] – very direct, quick, tall, strong and it’s quite difficult to play against him.’
Luis Suarez, who netted 82 goals in 133 matches for Liverpool, also spoke very highly of his countryman in an interview with Gerard Romero, whilst also chastising Barcelona for not snapping him up sooner.
‘I recommended Darwin to Barcelona when he was at Almeria,’ the current Atletico Madrid striker said.
‘I have 15 years of international experience. I know a thing or two about forwards. And I told them, “Pay attention to this one, he’s very good, he shows interesting things”.
‘They told me he was at Almeria and that he was too young. But instead of paying now €80m, €90m or €100m, they would’ve paid €15m or €20m and have him there as a substitute.’
Last season, Nunez scored 34 goals in 41 matches in all competitions and came close to joining West ham in January, but Benfica rejected their £40m bid.
