If it wasn’t certainly already, Darwin Nunez is definitely not joining Newcastle this summer after signing for Liverpool.
The Reds announced his arrival on Tuesday evening, confirming that the striker had signed a six-year deal at Anfield.
He’ll wear the number 27 shirt, and could go on to become their most expensive signing ever. Liverpool have paid Benfica an initial £64million, but the deal could eventually rise to £85million.
It’s a mega money signing, and one that Newcastle have missed out on.
Alan Shearer comments on Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez deal
Toon legend Alan Shearer has reacted to the news following the announcement. And if there’s anyone that knows what a top striker looks like then it’s him.
He praised the deal on Twitter, simply writing: “Very good signing.”
It certainly is a very good signing. Liverpool have secured Nunez on the back of a sensational season.
He scored 34 times in all competitions for Benfica, including six goals in the Champions League.
The 22-year-old will make Liverpool even stronger, which is a terrifying thought. They do look set to lose Sadio Mane, but the addition of Nunez will seriously excite fans on Merseyside.
But while Liverpool celebrate, Toon fans wonder what could have been.
Newcastle miss out
Nunez has been heavily linked with a move to Newcastle all year. There were rumours in January, and they have carried on heading into the summer.
However, the closer we got to the transfer window, the less likely a deal for Nunez became. He wanted Champions League football – something Newcastle can’t offer at the moment.
It was reported that the Toon owners were willing to spend big on Nunez, but he just wasn’t interested. That’s fair enough given the calibre of clubs eyeing his signature.
If he’s a ‘very good signing’ for Liverpool, then he would have been extraordinary for Eddie Howe’s Magpies.
Nunez will be in the Premier League next season, but Newcastle’s search for a striker goes on.
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