Benfica walks out on Liverpool as Darwin Nunez transfer suffers setback

Darwin Nunez transfer latest : Double disagreement between Liverpool and Benfica emerges

The Uruguayan has emerged as Liverpool’s top target in the summer transfer window. The club has confirmed Divock Origi’s free-agent departure, while Takumi Minamino can go for £17 million.

Following the rejection of their first two bids for Sadio Mane, Bayern Munich is poised to make a third offer. As a result, Darwin is being pursued in order to prevent Jurgen Klopp from being caught short upfront.

Liverpool are said to have reached an arrangement with the Benfica hitman on personal terms. Darwin was left out of Uruguay’s friendly against Panama on Saturday night to avoid jeopardizing his move if he sustained an injury.

The talk has intensified around a verbal agreement on a £68 million transfer fee plus an additional £17 million in add-ons. While those numbers are correct, the pricing structure and nature of the add-ons are still up for debate.

That is according to the Times who state Liverpool chief Julian Ward has personally flown to Portugal to conduct face-to-face meetings with Benfica’s hierarchy.

Benfica reportedly wants the initial £68m up front and in full. However, Liverpool are thus far unwilling to pay more than £60m up front.

The remaining £8m could be paid at a later date as an instalment, though that is not what Benfica are seeking.

LISBON, PORTUGAL – Tuesday, April 5, 2022: Benfica’s Darwin Nuñez during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg game between SL Benfica and Liverpool FC at the Estádio da Luz. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Another stumbling block is the nature of the £17 million in add-ons. Benfica wants the add-ons to be focused easily on appearance.

The Reds, on the other hand, want terms tied to player and team accomplishments.

While those two aspects of the agreement are still being worked out, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano clarified a previous story about the contract’s length.

According to sources, if the transfer goes through, a five-year contract will be signed. However, according to Romano, Darwin’s contract will be for six years and will end in 2028.

Darwin has travelled to Spain with his agent and is awaiting approval to come to England for a medical examination, according to the journalist. That will happen once Liverpool and Benfica have worked out their differences.

In other news, Darwin Nunez sends messages to Liverpool fans as he is set to travel for Medical ahead of transfer deal