Benfica announced on Monday that Liverpool has agreed to purchase Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez for an initial 75 million euros (£64 million).
Benfica stated in a statement that the transfer fee could eventually reach 100 million euros, surpassing Liverpool’s 2018 club-record £75 million payment to Southampton for Dutch central defender Virgil van Dijk.
Nunez scored 26 goals in 28 league appearances in Portugal last season.
The 22-year-old, who was left out of Uruguay’s squad for Saturday’s 5-0 friendly victory over Panama, was expected to begin a two-day medical examination on Monday.
Personal terms are not expected to be an issue, as the player has expressed his desire to play for Reds manager Jurgen Klopp despite Manchester United’s interest.
Nunez will reportedly sign a six-year contract with Premier League and Champions League runners-up Liverpool, who have been in discussions with Benfica for weeks.
In April, he scored goals in both legs of Benfica’s Champions League quarterfinal loss to Liverpool, earning praise from Klopp.
Nunez is expected to replace Sadio Mane at Anfield after Bayern Munich intensified their pursuit of the Senegalese forward.
Liverpool has rejected two bids from the Bundesliga champions and is demanding a transfer fee in excess of £40 million for Mane, whose contract expires in one year.