Darwin Nunez 'wants Liverpool move by end of week'

Benfica forward Darwin Nunez is reportedly keen to secure a transfer to Liverpool "as soon as possible".

On the back of scoring 34 goals in all competitions this season, the Uruguay international has naturally emerged as one of the hottest properties in Europe.

Soon after the end of the season, it was claimed that Nunez may be prepared to sign for Manchester United, despite a lack of Champions League football at Old Trafford for 2022-23.

However, in recent days, Liverpool have emerged as the clear favourites to sign the 22-year-old as they consider potential replacements for Sadio Mane.

According to Football Insider, Nunez wants a deal completed over the coming days, preferably by the end of the week.

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A source is said to have told the outlet that the attacker wants to be confirmed as a Liverpool player "as soon as possible", a stance which will only encourage the Merseyside giants to press on with negotiations.

On Thursday, a report emerged that Liverpool had agreed an £86m fee with Benfica, meeting the asking price of their most prized asset.

Liverpool are said to be willing to pay £68.5m up-front, with a further £17.1m following in add-ons over the duration of his contract.

That development, in theory, should lead to United putting together another proposal for Nunez as they look to avoid losing out to their North West rivals.

However, despite suggestions that newly-appointed boss Erik ten Hag has met with super-agent Jorge Mendes over a potential deal, that does not appear to be the case.

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According to Sport Witness, no such exchange has taken place, a source said to have told the outlet that "negotiations are well on the way with Liverpool".

Should a deal be completed, Liverpool are expected to be far more willing to find an agreement for Mane to end his hugely-successful six-year spell at the club.

Although Bayern Munich have allegedly failed with a second bid which was described as 'laughable', another offer is likely to be in the offing for a player who has 12 months left on his contract.

Liverpool are also inviting offers for Takumi Minamino with up to £17m potentially being generated from the sale of the Japanese playmaker.