Former Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique has urged Benfica hotshot Darwin Nunez to snub Manchester United in favour of becoming "world class" with Jurgen Klopp 's Reds.
The Uruguayan striker hit a staggering 34 goals in 41 appearances for the Portuguese giants last season as he emerged as one Europe's most sought-after marksmen. The 22-year-old's exploits, which included netting six times in the Champions League last campaign, have seen the forward amass a lengthy list of followers.
United in particular are understood to be looking to poach Nunez from a Premier League perspective, though there is thought to be interest from across the continent as Europe's elite contemplate a move. However, ex-Liverpool defender Enrique believes Nunez would be best off heading to Anfield where he could be moulded into a "world class" star.
The declaration comes following the news that the Reds appear likely to lose Sadio Mane from their forward line this summer as he reportedly eyes up a new adventure elsewhere. With the Senegalese striker set to depart, Enrique urged Nunez to snub a potential move to United and take Mane's place on Merseyside and become one of the game's biggest names.
In response to an article suggesting United are the front-runners to land Nunez this summer, Enrique wrote on his Instagram story: "I hope this is not true and he comes to us instead. We should go for him, a top player who can become world class under [Jurgen] Klopp if we sell Sadio Mane."
Though Liverpool have been credited with showing interest in the striker, they face plenty of competition. Both Newcastle and West Ham reportedly made approaches for Nunez back in January, but the forward's list of suitors has grown substantially since then as his profile has continued to soar.
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Alongside United and Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been credited with showing interest, while the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked. Unsurprisingly, Nunez won't be available on the cheap though.
It is thought Benfica are open to selling the striker this summer, but only if their demands, thought to be in the region of £60million, are met for their main marksman. Nunez has three years left on his contract having joined the Eagles from UD Almeria back in the summer of 2020.
Klopp himself has previously expressed his admiration for the striker, hailing him ahead of Liverpool's Champions League meeting with Benfica at the quarter-final stage last season. Back in April, the German said: “He’s a good striker. The next one from Uruguay!
"I don’t know how they play together, Cavani, Suarez and him, in one team – that’s probably a challenge to put that in place. Top, top boy. Yes, the goals he’s scored. Obviously the one against Ajax in Amsterdam was a massive one, yes in the group stage as well, so he’s not shy."
Nunez would then go on to further impress the Liverpool manager, netting in both legs as the Reds ran out 6-4 winners on aggregate. Klopp is expected to dip into the market in search of a new forward this summer following the news that Mane is looking to embark on a new challenge this summer.
The Senegalese striker is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract and appears destined to depart having failed to agree terms over a new deal. The 30-year-old is understood to be the subject of intense interest from Bayern Munich, who themselves are braced to lose Robert Lewandowski this summer.
