Benfica striker Darwin Nunez is attracting interest from some of the best clubs in the world, including a set of Premier League giants. The 22-year-old has already informed the Portuguese giants that he wants to leave at the end of the season – a move that will inadvertently affect Benfica due to him being the Primeira Liga’s top scorer this campaign.
He also propelled Benfica into the quarter-final stages of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2015/16.
Darwin Núñez ⚽️
Benfica are through to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015/16 ✅@slbenfica_en | #UCL pic.twitter.com/A2VOHWcite
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 22, 2022
The Uruguayan international has emerged as one of Europe’s top strikers. His performances of late have attracted the interest of several clubs, one of which – West Ham United – tried signing him in January. However, that move never materialized, and more top dogs are expected to be in line for his signature in the summer.
Apart from West Ham, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa are all interested in the young striker. Manchester United are considered to be leading the race for Nunez, as per The Telegraph.
?4️⃣ Man Utd and Arsenal's battle for Darwin Nunez 'will hinge' on whichever club secures Champions League footballhttps://t.co/atcI6Mk3f5 pic.twitter.com/DQtj5quFch
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) March 31, 2022
However, according to latest reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola (via FCInterNews), Milan and Inter are also strong suitors to land the Penarol youth product.
Both the Rossoneri and Nerazurri would however need to cash in no less than €60-70m for the highly-rated forward who has racked in 26 goals in 33 appearances for the Eagles this season. Benfica look set to make a tidy profit after bringing him for just €24m from Spanish outfit Almeria in 2020. They also owe the Spaniards 20% of the transfer fee they receive due to a clause set in the deal for the Uruguayan.
A Bola – Benfica, su Darwin Nunez c'è anche il Milan https://t.co/ZfzCrCcYon
— MilanNews.it (@MilanNewsit) March 31, 2022
Milan would consider him as new signing Marko Lazetic’s future teammate in attack, especially since veterans Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud are nearing the end of their respective careers. Inter on the other hand are preparing to part ways with Lautaro Martinez, but have sights already set on Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Scamacca.
Nunez has a contract valid until June 2025 with Benfica.
His fellow Portuguese Primeira Liga counterpart Luis Diaz, who moved to Liverpool from Porto earlier in the season, has so far shone at Anfield since his transfer. His move is expected is motivate Nunez to move abroad at the earliest, and most likely to England, given the glory and fandom associated with the Premier League.