Chelsea and Arsenal have been told what they must pay to complete the signing of Benfica frontman, Darwin Nunez.
football.london reported earlier this year that Arsenal were tracking the 22-year-old ahead of a potential summer move. The Gunners' technical director Edu was in contact with the representatives of Nunez and he is amongst those shortlisted as a possible summer signing. That being said, the Brazilian has also been monitoring Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus and Roma's Tammy Abraham.
The Gunners are looking to add at least two strikers to their squad following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's January exit. Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are also likely to follow suit as their contracts run out at the end of June. But according to The Athletic, London rivals Chelsea, as well as Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are 'leading the race' for Nunez ahead of the summer window. It is suggested that Benfica are open to a sale but ideally wants a deal wrapped up sooner rather than later so that they can sign a replacement.
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Nunez isn't going to be a cheap option, however, as transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that he'll cost around €75million-€80million (£64million-£68million), but plenty of teams are going to be involved in what could be a demanding transfer battle.
Speaking on the Wondergoal Podcast, he said: "I'm really curious to see what happens with Darwin Nunez because I see him leaving Benfica this summer. I'm sure. It will depend on the price because, for example, in January on deadline day, West Ham made a proposal of €45million (£38.5million) and it was turned down because Benfica wanted €55million (£47.1million). Now I think with €55million (£47.1million), you are absolutely not buying him. So, what is needed is around €75million -€80million (£64.2million-£68.5million) for Darwin Nunez, to open negotiations with Benfica."
He added: "He has a new agent that is really close to Jorge Mendes so it's gonna change the future of the player. So, everything is absolutely open but I'm sure Darwin will be ready to leave Benfica in the summer and make a big move in the summer. He's the most interesting one (in the striker domino). It is a really, really open situation."
It'll be interesting to see what happens with Nunez, but Chelsea and Arsenal seemingly have their work cut out if they wish to add another top striker to their books.
