Man Utd outbid Liverpool for striker ‘in recent hours’ but Mendes meeting is rubbished

Joe Williams
Jorge Mendes reportedly had a meeting with Man Utd on Thursday

Man Utd have made a bid for Darwin Nunez with Liverpool also keen on bringing the Benfica striker to the Premier League, according to reports.

The Athletic brought us the news yesterday that Liverpool have agreed personal terms with the Uruguay international but they have yet to reach an agreement over a fee with Benfica.

Nunez scored 34 goals in 41 appearances for the Portuguese club in all competitions last season with his performances attracting interest from a number of clubs this summer.


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Almeria, who Benfica bought Nunez from for €24m in 2020, would be entitled to 20 per cent of the profit from any sale this summer with the Portuguese giants valuing him at around €100m.

And now Portuguese publication Record (via Sport Witness) insist that Man Utd have now reached that threshold after the same newspaper insisted Liverpool had submitted an offer of €80m up front with €20m in bonuses.

It is understood that Man Utd have submitted a bid ‘in recent hours’ that is more desirable as they have committed to paying more than Liverpool up front for Nunez.

The Daily Express reported that the Man Utd recruitment team held talks with Nunez’s agent, Jorge Mendes, on Thursday afternoon.

However, a source has told Sport Witness that ‘it’s not true’ Man Utd have had a meeting with Mendes and although Man Utd ‘might very well be interested’ it is Liverpool in the driving seat.

Meanwhile, former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor reckons Liverpool should still pursue a midfielder like Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham if they get a deal for Nunez over the line.

“Nunez is a top player and he will improve and get even better, but Liverpool need midfielders,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.

“Thiago has injury problems, Henderson, his legs are going to start going a bit now he’s into his thirties, they need two midfielders.

“Even someone like Bellingham would fit in perfectly at Liverpool. Defence they’re fine they’ve got enough cover, goalkeeper they’ve got enough cover. I feel like two centre midfielders and Nunez and they’ll be back next season challenging Man City.”