MANCHESTER UNITED have contacted the agent of Darwin Nunez in a desperate bid to hijack Liverpool's move for the striker, according to reports.
The 22-year-old was rumoured to be in line for a move to Old Trafford before Liverpool came roaring in with a bid said to be worth up £80million.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported United have been in contact with the striker's agent, but denied suggestions of a meeting with new United boss Erik ten Hag.
However, it is understood that Nunez would prefer a move to Anfield.
Whether a move manages to be completed could depend on Liverpool and Benfica striking an agreement on how to structure the deal.
Liverpool want to do the deal in instalments and are also haggling over the add-on which could be attached to a deal for him, with Benfica demanding £17million in performance-related extras.
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Personal terms have also reportedly been agreed on a five-year deal worth £150,000 a week, further denting United's ambitions of signing him.
Nunez scored 34 goals in 41 games last season, a tally which included a brace of goals against Liverpool during the Champions League quarter-finals.
Liverpool are set to allow Sadio Mane to leave this summer if they receive an offer of £43million for him.
They have reportedly turned down two offers from Bayern Munich for the 30-year-old, with the latter said to be worth at least £30million including add-ons.
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Meanwhile, United want Nunez to support Cristiano Ronaldo and to help reinvigorate a lacklustre attack which has seen a number of its stars depart or lose form for a number of reasons.
Ten Hag enjoyed success with a target man at Ajax last season, morphing West Ham flop Sebastien Haller into one of Europe's deadliest marksman with 34 goals in 43 games.
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