Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Ten Hag jets off for decisive Darwin Nunez talks to ‘steal’ striker for Man Utd, as Liverpool twist explained

Darwin Nunez, Haris Seferovic Benfica v Pacos de Fereira January 2022

Manchester United hope to snatch Darwin Nunez away from Liverpool, whose deal for the Benfica striker must reportedly wait until Sadio Mane’s sale goes through.

Nunez stood out across Europe last season, with 34 goals in 41 goals announcing the 22-year-old on the continent. Such form produced talk of interest from a host of top clubs, including Liverpool and United.

However, the Premier League duo have now ramped up their interest in the Uruguay international.

Liverpool reportedly lead the race for Nunez. The Reds are willing to make up Benfica’s £85million asking price through a structured deal and have a five-year deal on the table for him. Nunez has supposedly made clear that he wants to move to Anfield.

And while The Athletic journalist David Ornstein reports that Liverpool have now agreed personal terms, they have not entirely wrapped up the deal.

Indeed, Portuguese football expert Pedro Sepulveda has claimed that Erik ten Hag is having a meeting with Nunez’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

Man Utd boss Ten Hag has flown to Portugal for talks in an attempt to ‘steal’ the signing for the Red Devils.

But Sepulveda adds that Nunez wants Champions League football next season.

That would keep the scales in Liverpool’s favour, following United’s sixth-placed Premier League finish last season.

Liverpool face Mane wait to get Nunez

Darwin Nunez celebrating for Benfica

However, United could yet get ahead of Liverpool as the Reds need to fund their club-record move for Nunez.

A large portion of the transfer fee will come from Mane’s exit to Bayern Munich.

The Senegal international wants to leave Anfield for a new challenge and the German champions have made two bids.

Liverpool laughed off the second approach on Wednesday, which would have been worth a maximum of £30million.

Liverpool bid £85m for Darwin Nunez from Benfica

Liverpool bid £85m for Darwin Nunez from Benfica

Liverpool have bid £85 for Benfica striker Darwin Nunez who wants to play for Jurgen Klopp

The Reds instead want around £42.5million. The Telegraph claims that Liverpool expect Bayern will finally reach their asking price for Mane.

Nevertheless, the Liverpool Echo points out that Jurgen Klopp’s side cannot move forward with Nunez until they get the Mane funds.

It is therefore a waiting game, with Bayern having a potentially crucial indirect role in Nunez’s future.

Man Utd may struggle to get striker

Although, the fact that Liverpool have advanced their interest first in Nunez may ultimately help them win the race.

United could do with a new striker, with Cristiano Ronaldo coming towards the end of his career.

Still, if Nunez prefers the move to Liverpool amid their Champions League football, Man Utd are ultimately powerless.

They could of course offer the player bigger wages than he would earn at Liverpool. But even then the player may still have his heart set on a move to Anfield.