Liverpool may be able to boost their attacking depth and the future generation in a single transfer with the help of Darwin Nez — and Ibrahima Konaté’s contact list
Darwin Nez played for UD Almera in Spain’s second tier during the 2019-20 season, when Liverpool won the Premier League.
The Uruguayan scored 16 goals in 30 games for Mário Silva’s club, helping them finish fourth in the standings.
As a result of his outstanding season, Nez secured a £30.6 million transfer to Benfica, and after two seasons with the Primeira Liga club, he would become Liverpool’s record signing.
Last season, another attacking player made his mark in the Segunda División. Lex Baena was loaned out by Villarreal to Girona, where he rapidly established himself as a key player, making 42 appearances, contributing seven assists in addition to five goals, and assisting Girona to a play-off promotion back to La Liga.
According to Sport, 21-year-old Baena, who is presently back at Villarreal, has caught the attention of Premier League rivals Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
The Yellow Submarine would like to keep him for “at least two or three more seasons,” but they have little say in the matter after losing in the Champions League quarterfinals to Liverpool last season.
This is due to the player’s contract, which has a €35 million (£31 million) release clause. Although Villarreal would like to sign him to a new deal with a higher clause, he may be cautious if he knows English giants are also interested. Last summer, Liverpool used the similar strategy to get Ibrahima Konaté from RB Leipzig.
Although Baena has yet to start a La Liga game for Unai Emery’s club this season, he has made an impression as a substitute, scoring three goals in six substitute appearances. Baena possesses the credentials to play across the front line.
He also equaled that number in the first two Europa Conference League matchdays, scoring twice against Hapoel Be’er Sheva after scoring twice in a 4-3 victory the previous day.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig called his season-opening performance “sensational.”
When watching the player’s highlight reel, the player’s remarkable dribbling ability stands out. Baena frequently uses dexterity to avoid barriers or escape difficult situations. His sudden shift in direction is lethal.
He can defeat multiple opponents in a single run due to his amazing acceleration and the variety of his moves, which catch opponents off guard. It should come as no surprise that defenders routinely lunge at him in an attempt to stop him, which may cause him to incur fouls.
Baena likes to cut inside from either flank, showcasing his comfort on both feet and convincing potential suitors of his positional versatility.
Even when he is not carrying the ball, he is capable of making quick passes. Baena can play precisely weighted passes behind opposing opponents, occasionally dinking the ball over them with bravado.
He may also generate major opportunities for his teammates by driving a cross low across the field or digging it out from near to the byline.
In summation, he has great vision and execution in his passing game.
Baena, like Luis Daz, has excellent long-range goals in his repertoire. From roughly 20 yards away, he fired unstoppable efforts into the top-right corner of the goal against Valladolid this season and Tenerife last season. He watched a clearing land on his right boot and thump it into the far corner against Real Oviedo. When battling the Wolfs, keep Allan Saint-Maximin in mind.
Even if he doesn’t always produce a lot of power, his precision is adequate. He scored his first goal of the season against Valladolid, for example, by neatly sliding a lay-off from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.
He has only scored 13 goals at the men’s level, but there are already signs that he is developing a diversity of finishes. His acrobatic performance against Hapoel Be’er Sheva last week was the most daring of the bunch.
It will be interesting to see how he progresses this season if, or more accurately, when he pushes himself into the starting lineup.
Recent conversations have occurred between Liverpool and his representatives, ICM Stellar Sports, who represent 2021 acquisition Konaté. It wouldn’t be surprising if they called again in an attempt to broaden their offensive options and sign another possible future star.
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