Luis Suarez and Virgil van Dijk have both sung the praises of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez as Liverpool make him their top target for the summer transfer window. The Reds defender played against Nunez in the Champions League quarter-finals while Suarez is an international teammate of his.
With Sadio Mane set to depart the club to join Bayern Munich - who saw a second bid rejected by Liverpool - the Reds are on the lookout for a replacement and they see Nunez as someone who can take Jurgen Klopp's side to the next level.
Manchester United also want to sign Nunez and Liverpool have made it clear they won't be dragged into a bidding war with their bitter rivals. The 22-year-old is believed to have indicated to his club that he favours a move to Anfield and play Champions League football under Klopp.
LIVE UPDATES: Darwin Nunez transfer latest plus more Liverpool rumours
FINAL PROBLEM: Liverpool face Benfica hurdle in pursuit of £85m Nunez deal
In May, when talking to Rio Ferdinand about the toughest strikers he has faced during his career, Van Dijk offered glittering praise for the Benfica striker: "He's a bit similar [to Haaland] - very direct, quick, tall, strong and it's quite difficult to play against him."
Nunez impressed when Liverpool progressed past the Portuguese side in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after scoring both home and away in the two ties.
Former Liverpool star Suarez revealed he once told Barcelona to sign his international teammate when he was at Almeria, but the Catalan club thought he was too young at the time.
"I recommended Darwin to Barcelona when he was at Almeria," Suarez revealed in an interview with Gerard Romero on Twitch. "I have 15 years of international experience. I know a thing or two about forwards. And I told them, ‘pay attention to this one, he’s very good, he shows interesting things’.
"They told me he was at Almeria and that he was too young. But instead of paying now €80m, €90m or €100m, they would’ve paid €15m or €20m and have him there as a substitute."
Fresh reports have emerged that indicate Liverpool are now preparing an official bid for Nunez, as the prospect of a dream summer transfer deal edges closer.
