Manchester United pulled out of the race for Darwin Nunez after deciding against being held to a bidding war with Liverpool, Sportsmail can reveal.
Nunez is expected to complete an £85million switch from Benfica to the Reds, signing a six-year deal in the process, on Tuesday - in what will be a club-record buy for the Anfield outfit.
Manchester United were in the running for the Uruguayan striker too but withdrew interest after deeming the asking price as too high, rather than being rejected by the 22-year-old.
Sportsmail can detail that they were invited into a bidding auction by the player's agents but declined to engage - therefore making the club not an option for the player.