Darwin Nunez is a 'rough diamond' and 'nowhere near the finished article' amid links over a potential transfer to Newcastle United. That is the view of BT Sport pundits Peter Crouch, Steve McManaman and Michael Owen who delivered their verdicts on the in-form Benfica forward.
Nunez netted in both legs of the Portuguese outfit's Champions League quarter-final exit to Liverpool to take his tally for the season to 32 goals. The Uruguay international has been heavily linked with a blockbuster summer transfer, and the 22-year-old recently changed agents ahead of an expected deal.
European heavyweights Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG have all been credited with an interest in the forward. Reports claim Newcastle failed in a January approach, and Eddie Howe's side continue to be linked with a move.
Speaking ahead of Benfica's entertaining 3-3 draw at Anfield on Wednesday night, former Liverpool striker Crouch believes Nunez's record in this season's Champions League suggests the forward would be capable of succeeding in the Premier League. He said: "There has been big noises about him for a while and he has delivered.
"He has got 31 goals this season and he’s banging them in. He’s big, he’s strong, but he is also quick and mobile and he has scored a lot of big goals against some big teams in the Champions League. I think, the question always is if you score a lot of goals in Portugal, can you replicate it elsewhere and he has against the big teams in the Champions League. "
Fellow BT Sport pundit McManaman is confident Benfica will cash-in on Nunez this summer, and believes whoever signs the in-form forward will have a 'rough diamond' on their hands. He said: "I think he will move on.
"No disrespect to the Portuguese league and Benfica, but they will probably look to sell him. There are only a number of clubs that can probably pay the asking price for him, and he may even turn up in the Premier League.
"He’s almost a rough diamond, there is still a lot to work on and a lot to improve on, but his movement is excellent and his goal against Liverpool was a really composed finish. There is a lot to like about him but he is nowhere near the finished article yet."
Former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Owen added: "We know a couple of clubs have had a sniff around, he came from Almeria for £24m, but he is only 22-years-old, so there is a lot of improvement from him to come. But I think if he moves he will go for at least double that."
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