Liverpool could seek out the advice of Darwin Nunez as they consider signing his Uruguay teammate Manuel Ugarte.
The Reds are reportedly taking a keen interest in the Sporting midfielder as they ramp up plans for their midfield overhaul. And according to the Liverpool Echo, Nunez could play a key role.
Until last summer Nunez and Ugarte were on separate sides of the Lisbon rivalry between Benfica and Sporting. But they’re international teammates who went to the World Cup together for Uruguay.
As a result, the Echo claim that Liverpool’s No.27 may be consulted before a green light is given to pursue Ugarte.
In the meantime, ‘Anfield insiders’ have reportedly ‘refused to dismiss’ reports that they’re looking to sign the 22-year-old.
Liverpool look for Uruguay connection
With Liverpool prioritising player’s characters, it makes sense to pick Darwin’s brains about his countryman. The two are a similar age and – having lived in the same city – have reasonably spent a bit of time together.
Consequently, Nunez is surely a good man to get the inside track on Ugarte. If the reports back from the forward are positive, it will aid his chances of a move to Anfield.
Conversely, Nunez could also be used to extol the virtues of joining Liverpool to Ugarte. The midfielder will surely do his own background research of the club he could join, with Darwin key to that.
Perhaps that’s a process that is already ongoing. Liverpool have been reported as being in discussions with Ugarte for the last two weeks. In that process, they’d be wise to use all the tools available to them. Darwin is one such tool.
For now, perhaps the former Benfica man wouldn’t be all that enthusiastic a recommender of Liverpool. He’s fallen a little out of favour over recent months and is currently having to make do with a place on the bench.
But hopefully the 23-year-old can look beyond that and give a glowing appraisal of the club he joined last June. If the appraisal of Ugarte’s character runs a similarly hot glow, then we may have a deal on our hands.