Benfica star Darwin Nunez has been trending everywhere for over two weeks, despite the fact that the summer transfer season opened barely a few days ago.
Nunez may have escaped your notice until later, but chances are you’re now well known with the Benfica star striker. This summer, Dortmund’s Erling Haaland was Europe’s most wanted striker, and now, Nunez stepped in when Haaland was no longer available.
Darwin Nunez scored 34 goals for the Portuguese club in 41 games last season, including six goals in the Champions League. The striker scored impressive goals against elite clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool. This demonstrated his ability to compete in leagues other than Portugal’s Primeira Liga.
Nunez’s performances had been closely analyzed by Manchester United’s board. Currently, Cristiano Ronaldo is the club’s only recognized striker, and Erik ten Hag is well aware that he needs to bring a new player in that area.
The Uruguayan striker fits the profile perfectly for Erik Ten Hag, but he isn’t a complete unknown. It’s impossible to keep a secret when a player scores goals in the Champions League and becomes a social media sensation overnight.
Despite the fact that Newcastle United was also interested in Nunez this summer, Liverpool is expected to win the race for his signing. United was not ready to start a bidding war, but now the war is over even before it started.
Darwin Nunez is valued at €100 million by Benfica, and rumours had earlier stated Liverpool and Benfica are close to reaching an agreement. But now, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, Darwin Nunez has officially signed for Liverpool.
Manchester United wanted to stay within their budget this summer, but it appears that Liverpool has beaten them again. Liverpool currently outperforms the Red Devils in every category, including off-field operations.
Liverpool are now closing on Darwin Núñez deal, here we go! Meeting in the morning with verbal agreement in place between Liverpool & Benfica, just waiting to sign. €80m plus €20m add ons fee. 🚨🔴🇺🇾 #LFC
Liverpool are preparing paperworks. Five year contract, already agreed. pic.twitter.com/znzD7DyU8P
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 11, 2022
When Darwin Nunez will be photographed carrying a Liverpool shirt at Anfield, it seems that United’s board will claim that they were outbid, but that may only be part of the reality. The unpleasant truth is that Liverpool is a more appealing option for any player right now.
Similarly, Manchester United was also running behind Luis Diaz’s signature in January. Ralf Rangnick appeared to the board that he wanted the former Porto winger to play at Old Trafford. Even after scouting him heavily, the club was very slow in its actions.
Ultimately, Liverpool came in and snatched him up for less than £50m. Manchester United board later confirmed that they didn’t want to sign any new players in January.
This is again one more example that shows that in the past six months, whichever player United looked upon was made for Liverpool.
Next season, the Europa League will be played at the mammoth Old Trafford stadium.
Instead of exceptional Champions League nights under the floodlights against Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Juventus, Manchester United will face Union Berlin, Nantes, and Rennes.
The reason is simple: the top players always dream of playing in the Champions League every season. Darwin Nunez had his first taste of competition last season, and it’s difficult to blame him for wanting more of it.
United’s charm will always exist, but after the club’s worst season in decades, fans will have to unwillingly accept the club’s current situation. United is undergoing a transformation, and the world’s greatest players want to give themselves the best shot of winning a trophy.
Manchester United has only won three titles in the last ten years. Although it is difficult for supporters to watch rivals sign players of such high calibre, they must be patient and tolerant this summer.
This is the lowest point in the club’s recent history, and it will undoubtedly hinder transfer moves. That doesn’t mean that John Murtough, won’t be pleased when the window closes on September 1.
After learning of Liverpool’s ‘breakthrough’ for Nunez, a portion of internet supporters were very angry, but fans must take a more sensible approach in the coming months if the club is to survive. It’s far from a calamity that Darwin Nunez isn’t signed.
The transfer window is similar to a chess game, with numerous parties responsible for moving the pieces. United does not play in the Champions League, which puts them at a disadvantage right away, but the club has a plan to win nonetheless.
United’s business should be judged only after 83 days, given the transfer window has been open for barely over 24 hours.
