Report: Nunez’s former club planning to beat Liverpool to ‘really special’ striker in January

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Liverpool want Jhon Duran but Benfica are now lining up a January deal for the Chicago Fire striker during the upcoming January window.

That’s according to Portuguese newspaper Record, as they suggest that Benfica hope to win the race for Duran next month.

Benfica sit top of the table in Portugal and have only dropped two points in 13 games so far this season.

They aren’t resting on their laurels though and are still chasing more attacking reinforcements for January with Duran now wanted.

That will be of interest to Liverpool, who have also been chasing Duran of late.

Colombian reporter Pipe Sierra – who broke news of Liverpool wanting Luis Diaz in January of this year – claimed in October that Liverpool have been scouting Duran.

Duran, 19, joined Chicago Fire from Envigado earlier this year and made a big impact in his first Major League Soccer campaign.

Duran racked up eight goals and five assists in 27 appearances for Chicago Fire and is now attracting major interest.

Liverpool may well hope to lure Duran to Anfield to play alongside Diaz but Benfica now pose a major threat to their hopes.

Liverpool target Duran could help replace Nunez and even Goncalo Ramos

Benfica sold their star striker over the summer as Darwin Nunez moved on to Liverpool.

The Portuguese giants did bring in another striker as Petar Musa arrived, but Benfica would no doubt still love to add another goalscorer to replace Nunez’s impact.

Goncalo Ramos is doing a fine job so far, but there is a strong chance that he ends up leaving in 2023 having impressed at the World Cup with Portugal.

Duran may be viewed as a player who could have a Nunez-like impression in Portugal and also grow into the role of star striker once Ramos moves on.

Duran, hailed as having ‘really special’ potential, looks set to become a star of the future and if Liverpool want him, they may now need to swoop in and beat Benfica – or risk paying huge money for him down the line, just as they did with Nunez.