'Very powerful': Liverpool are reportedly trying to sign a player with 'tremendous potential'

By Shamanth Jayaram

Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez and one of the Uruguayan’s old coaches has had his say on the reported transfer.

The 22-year-old had an outstanding campaign in Portugal last season. He scored 34 goals and provided four assists in 41 appearances for Benfica, and caught the eye of multiple top clubs across Europe.

Reports revealed yesterday that Liverpool have tabled an eye-watering £85 million (€100m) bid to sign Nunez. That would make the Uruguayan the club’s record signing if the deal goes through, and Jose Gomes, his coach at Almeria, believes he’s ready to take over the Premier League.

• ‘He’d sign it tomorrow’: Journalist claims Darwin Nunez would jump at chance to join Liverpool

Old coach says powerful Darwin Nunez will certainly succeed at Liverpool

Before joining Benfica, Nunez spent a year in Spain at Almeria. His coach there, Gomes, noticed his ability, and he believes that the 22-year-old is perfect for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Gomes told Portuguese outlet Record: “Physically very powerful and with tremendous potential. He is an athlete of 1.90 metres and with tremendous speed. The speed he has allows the team where he plays to reach the opposing goal very easily.

“Not only for the coach (Klopp) himself, who is a motivator and an enthusiast, but also for the style of play he advocates.

“Klopp likes to play looking for spaces in the back of the opposing defensive lines, which means that we can say that Darwin will feel like a fish in water, because speed and quick attacks are characteristics that he favours. He will certainly succeed at Liverpool”

• Fabrizio Romano has just issued fresh Darwin Nunez transfer update amid Liverpool links

TBR View:

Nunez really is a fantastic young player, and his numbers last season tell us why Liverpool are prepared to smash their transfer record to get a deal over the line.

Sadio Mane is set to leave Liverpool this summer, with Bayern Munich looking like his likeliest destination. Replacing a player of his quality is never easy, but with Nunez, Klopp may have just found the one.

All the rumours suggest that Nunez will be on his way to Liverpool in the coming days.

That would be an extraordinary way to start the summer window for Liverpool, but Reds fans will be hoping for at least one more signing before the new season starts in a couple of months’ time.

• Report: Club now resigned to Darwin Nunez leaving this summer amid interest from Liverpool