Diogo Jota admits that Darwin Nunez is a "good player" - but refused to comment on Liverpool's pursuit of the Benfica striker.
Mirror Football exclusively revealed that the Reds are keen to sign the Uruguayan rising star this summer. Nunez is one of the hottest prospects in European football and Portuguese outlet Record, per Sport Witness, claims Liverpool are set to table an opening offer of £85million.
Manchester United appeared to be in pole position to acquire the Benfica talisman's signature but Jurgen Klopp is attempting to spoil their plans. However, Nunez is hesitant to join the Old Trafford club as they are not in the Champions League next season, leaving him weighing up his other options.
Liverpool got a front-row seat of Nunez's talent when they came head to head with Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals. The 22-year-old scored in both legs and impressed against the Anfield club, who would end up progressing to the final four with a 6-4 victory on aggregate.
Nunez would link up with Jota if he makes the move to Merseyside and the Liverpool forward clearly rates him highly. He was asked about the striker during a press conference while on international duty with Portugal.
Jota didn't want to get drawn into the speculation surrounding the player's future, however, and insists he doesn't know who his employers are targeting in the upcoming window.
Jota told Mais Futebol: "I don’t know, I’m focused on the national team. The market will move, I have no idea what the signings could be. I had the opportunity to play against him and he’s a good player, but I can’t say anything else at the moment."
Nunez also received a glowing review from Virgil van Dijk ahead of their Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid last month. When asked to name his toughest opponents, Nunez was included in his top five alongside Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
When discussing Nunez, the centre-back said: "He's a bit similar [to Haaland] - very direct, quick, tall, strong and it's quite difficult to play against him."
Mirror Football columnist Stan Collymore has claimed it is a "no brainer" for Nunez to join Liverpool. "Darwin Nunez scores goals and creates bother for defenders, so I’m very excited that Liverpool are in for him as well as Manchester United," Collymore wrote.
Will Liverpool sign Darwin Nunez? Let us know in the comments below!
"Liverpool have to make the odd marquee signing as well to fire shots across the bows of the other big clubs in the Premier League, and signing Nunez for £68m would be one of those. You’re starting to get into Virgil van Dijk price-tag territory, near-club-record money."
"And if it’s a choice between Liverpool and United at the moment then it’s a no-brainer to go to Liverpool. At one club, he’d be in with a chance of winning trophies immediately, whereas going to the other would be a punt.
"Let’s say he did think about going to United. I mean, there are no guarantees that, under Erik ten Hag, the Ajax school will be transferable. Certainly not with the febrile, bubbling pressure the supporter base is putting on the players and the Glazers."
