According to Matteo Moretto of Calciomercato, Manchester United is one of the clubs interested in signing in-form Benfica striker Darwin Nunez in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are having a difficult Premier League season, currently placed fifth in the table, four points behind Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
Despite the possibility of missing out on Champions League football next season, they are expected to spend heavily in the upcoming transfer window.
With Edinson Cavani’s contract expiring in June, interim manager and future advisor Ralf Rangnick have already announced plans to sign a young lethal striker.
Nunez is said to have grabbed the Red Devils’ attention, although no formal approach has been made. Benfica is seeking roughly €75 million (£63 million) for the Uruguayan striker.
During his tenure at Almeria, Nunez was linked with a move to the Premier League. Brighton was also interested in signing him before Benfica lured him to Portugal.
The 22-year-old scored 14 goals in 44 games in his first season, but after undergoing knee surgery last summer, he has stepped up his game this season.
In only 33 appearances, he has scored 26 goals for Benefica. In the Champions League, he scored four goals against teams like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Ajax.
His reputation has only risen as a result of his goal-scoring exploits. He might be an excellent summer signing for the Red Devils as they try to build a long-term strategy under the new permanent manager.
Cristiano Ronaldo has made a good comeback in his first season, scoring 18 goals, but he is past his prime. In 2022 itself, the Portuguese have only scored four goals.
He has decided to stay with the club for the coming season, and the next manager may have the option of playing with two strikers up front, with the new signing Nunez playing alongside Ronaldo.
Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have taken notice of Nunez’s outstanding goal-scoring heroics for Benfica. Arsenal could pose some serious competition for Manchester United since Mikel Arteta has made it clear that the club will be looking to sign a new striker.
Benfica’s asking price is steep, but they may consider it for a striker who is only entering his prime and has three years left on his contract.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United is willing to spend a significant amount of their money on Nunez. If they’re serious, they can’t afford to argue over the price in the face of such severe competition.
Erling Haaland, a long-term target, would be available for a comparable fee under his release clause, but the Dortmund striker appears to be heading to either Barcelona, Real Madrid, or their arch-rivals Manchester City.
