Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp speaks about the transfer fee for Darwin Nunez, suggesting some of the figures being spoken are inaccurate.
Darwin Nunez arrived in Liverpool for a fee understood to be worth £64m upfront. Moreover, it will rise to £85m should Nunez reach a number of milestones outlined in his agreement. The 22-year-old signed a six-year deal with the Anfield club believed to be worth around £140,000 a week.
The Uruguay international was Liverpool’s top target and the club secured his signing very early in the transfer window. Indeed, Nunez’s arrival from Benfica is a statement signing, for their surge for glory next season.
However, Liverpool boss Klopp made some clarification about the Reds’ spending on the Uruguayan.
Darwin Nunez price tag reports “are not right” – Liverpool boss Klopp
Liverpool squad landed in their next pre-season tour destination Singapore and are to face fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace. Upon their arrival at the press conference, Klopp was asked about the drastic change in the transfer market and Klopp’s remarks on Manchester United’s big-money signing of Paul Pogba in 2016, to which the German replied:
“A lot, obviously a lot. These kind of things happen,” Klopp said.
The numbers [regarding Nunez] you are telling are not right, but it’s not a problem – I know which kind of number is going around in the world out there.
When you want to sign a striker as exciting as Darwin is, that’s the market and you have to pay the price.
As I said, it’s not the price you mentioned and not the prices going around, but it’s no problem.“
Klopp has now changed his stance on big-money signing though. The German went back on his word in order to sign Nunez from Benfica. Moreover, it is completely understandable given the transfer market situation in today’s time. Although he admits that he is surprised to see the need to pay out such a large amount, to which he said:
“When you want to sign a striker as exciting as Darwin in, it’s the market and you have to pay the price. I’ve said so many things in my life and life caught me then later and showed me that my imagination was obviously not clear enough for how quick life can change,“
Nunez made his first outing for his Liverpool when playing the final half-hour of Tuesday’s 4-0 friendly defeat to Manchester United in Bangkok.
Social media mocking Nunez
Nunez has faced criticism for his performance in his unofficial debut in Liverpool’s opening game of pre-season. However, Klopp dismissed all the recent criticism and suggested it would take time for Nunez to settle into life at his new club.
The Liverpool boss was keen to stress there is no pressure on his new No. 27.
“I am not worried at all. The general judgement is 0.0 per cent interesting. And it will be like this, and we all know it’s a joke or a game for some people to pick out some situations where a player is not doing well,” Klopp continued.
The only really important thing first and foremost is how I judge the situation for the player. I couldn’t be more calm about it. I am completely convinced about his potential. And actually what our people think, the Liverpool supporters in the whole world.
They should know now after a while that new players need time and get time, and we should be the first – all Liverpool supporters on this planet – who just delete the fee we paid. Just delete it, it’s not important.“
Klopp also added:
“It is my responsibility to help Darwin that he can fulfil his full potential. And I am in it. I am in that responsibility. I’m completely calm.“
Liverpool next faces Crystal Palace in their second pre-season friendly and Nunez is sure to feature.
