CHELSEA were interested in signing Liverpool star Darwin Nunez last summer, according to reports.
The Uruguayan, 24, endured an inconsistent first season at Anfield following his £85million switch from Benfica.
Nunez was admired by Paul Winstanley during Chelsea’s sporting director’s stint at Brighton.
According to The Times, Winstanley enquired as to whether the striker would be available for the Blues to sign last summer.
It had been rumoured that Liverpool were open to flogging Nunez, with a potential switch to Atletico Madrid in exchange for Joao Felix having been mooted.
As it happened the claims were false, with the Reds rebuffing the Blues and keeping hold of their hard-working forward.
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Jurgen Klopp’s faith in Nunez has largely been rewarded this term.
The odd painful miss aside, Liverpool’s No9 has enjoyed a productive season with his side fighting on all fronts.
Nunez has scored 13 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions, including nine in the Premier League, while also laying on 11 assists.
He missed the Reds’ 4-1 win over Luton earlier this week and is a doubt for this Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
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The Blues, meanwhile, have persevered with Nicolas Jackson up top this term.
Jackson, 22, has managed nine goals in 27 appearances for the Blues since his £32million switch from Villarreal, including seven in the Prem.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino also gave Armando Broja a go up front, before loaning him out to Fulham on Deadline Day.
The Argentine has Christopher Nkunku to call upon again following a lengthy injury, with the Frenchman having scored against Liverpool in the league last month.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
