Reports suggest that Liverpool are prepared to smash their transfer record in an effort to replace the seemingly outgoing Sadio Mane.
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, the Reds are willing to cough up €100 million (R1.6 billion) to secure Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez's services from Benfica.
The 22-year-old has been the subject of much transfer speculation in recent months, with a number of Eruope's biggest clubs enquiring about the forward.
Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United are all said to be interested in buying Nunez, but it now seems as though the six-time European champions are the most proactive in their pursuit of him.
Despite the emergence of Luis Diaz in a Liverpool jersey, the expected loss of Mane will most likely leave a gaping hole in Jurgen Klopp's attack, but it appears the German tactician will once again look to Portugal's top flight to find a suitable replacement for his already fearsome frontline, having bought the Colombian winger from FC Porto in January.
Nunez was one of the most prolific forwards in European football this past season, having found the back of the net 34 times in just 41 games for Benfica.
Two of those goals came against the Reds in the UEFA Champions League, during their quarter-final clash with the record Primeira Liga champions, and it was a performance that made a significant impression on Klopp.
As per the Daily Mail, the 54-year-old said of the South American after the game: "A good-looking boy! And a decent player as well.
"Really good, really good. I knew before, of course, but he played pretty much in front of me with his tough battles with Ibrahima Konate.
"He was physically strong, quick, was calm around his finish. Good, really good. I always say in these situations if he is healthy, it's a big career ahead of him."
Should the deal be successful, Nunez will surpass Virgil van Dijk as the most expensive signing in the Reds' history.
Reminiscent of the July-August 2018 transfer window, when they brought in Alisson and Fabinho after they had lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid, the Merseyside club will be looking to make a big splash in the market to compete on all fronts once again come the 2022/23 season.
