It has emerged that Brighton and Hove Albion could have signed Darwin Nunez for £23.9m last summer.
The claim comes courtesy of Portuguese outlet Record (via Sport Witness), with the publication noting that a deal collapsed at the last minute ‘because of an issue at the Lisbon side’.
The Merseysiders secured their man for £64m up front – a transfer that could rise to as much as £85m if the conditions attached to the add-ons included are met – signing the Uruguayan up to a six-year contract.
The Seagulls have secured and developed some impressive players over the years, including the likes of Yves Bissouma (now Tottenham-bound) and Marc Cucurella (heavily linked with Manchester City).
Having enjoyed a stellar campaign with the Eagles last term – amassing 34 goals in 41 appearances (across all competitions) – it’s far from surprising that Nunez’s price-tag went up quite significantly over the course of a year.
Still, one might argue it remains something of a bargain given the player the former Penarol hitman is said to be replacing in Sadio Mane.