A number of clubs are set to compete for the services of Benfica hotshot Darwin Nunez this summer, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all apparently pursuing a deal. He has certainly caught the eye so far this season with his stunning goal-scoring displays for the Portuguese giants.
That is just one of the many reasons where there is expected to be such a scramble for his services in the upcoming window. Any deal is not anticipated to be cheap for the Blues - or indeed the Gunners - with Benfica set to demand a fee in excess of £60m.
With all of that being said, football.london takes a look at the latest reports regarding his future and the potential of a switch to the Premier League.
READ MORE: Peter Crouch and Steve McManaman agree on Darwin Nunez amid Arsenal and Chelsea transfer links
Nunez confirms transfer decision timing
Following another goalscoring performance against Liverpool in the Champions League, Nunez has confirmed when he expects to come to a decision over his immediate future.
As quoted by Metro, he said: "Until the season is over, I won’t say anything, and I’ll leave everything for this shirt. My job is to continue like this, to take advantage of this luck that is happening to me.
"Last year I didn’t play at all, but this year I’m having an incredible season. I have to continue like this, and there is also a lot of merit from my colleagues."
Read the full story here.
Liverpool hint
Nunez has given Liverpool fans reason to believe that he may be on his way to Anfield based on his social media activity, 'liking' an Instagram post which praised Jurgen Klopp's relationships with his players. Nunez scored in both legs in Benfica's Champions League semi-final against the Reds, raising the prospect of a move to England, but with such attacking talent already at the club, could Nunez favour a move elsewhere?
Klopp has predicted that Arsenal target Nunez has a 'big career' ahead of him. Speaking prior to the 3-3 draw between Liverpool and Benfica in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Anfield, the German manager said: "He was calm for the finish [in the first leg]," he said, as cited by the Mirror. "He is good, really good. If he stays healthy, he has a big career ahead of him."
Lewandowski implication
La Liga giants Barcelona are one of the many clubs that have been credited with an interest in Nunez, with The Telegraph claiming last month that a move to Spain was more likely for the youngster. However, a number of fresh reports now claim that the Blaugrana are instead chasing Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski, a move that would surely rule the Catalan club out of the running for Nunez.
Nunez transfer decision made as Man Utd make first move
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Nunez will leave Benfica this summer for a fee in the region of €80million (£66.8million).
Romano wrote on Twitter: "Darwin Nunez will leave Benfica in the summer, fee around €80m. His new agent will now meet with many top clubs to explore opportunities. Man United already discussed his name internally - Arsenal wanted him last January as West Ham, but Darwin was not for sale."
Chelsea, Man Utd lead race for Nunez
Whilst Arsenal are one of the clubs who has been linked with the Benfica forward for the most amount of time, and it appears that their Premier League rivals have stolen a march on them. According to The Athletic, Chelsea, 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.
Benfica boss speaks out
Benfica boss Nelson Verissimo has suggested that Arsenal and Chelsea target Darwin Nunez could be worth as much as Joao Felix should he move in the upcoming window. The Portuguese departed Benfica for Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a huge fee of £113m.
He said: "It will be at the end of this season or the following season, depending on what it has shown, it is natural that it will arouse interest from other clubs and naturally, there may be the timing in which it goes. Now regarding numbers, I hope as a Benfica fan that he will leave for numbers close to those that were João Félix's numbers."
Nunez changes agent
Ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer for the Benfica striker, he has made a major decision regarding his representation this window. In an official statement released on Twitter, he has confirmed that he will not renew his deal with current agent Edgardo Lasalvia.
He wrote: "I want to clarify that I will not renew my contract with my representative Edgardo Lasalvia. I also want to clarify that neither my family nor I have received any threats, and we are fine."
Reports have suggested that he could be set to turn to super-agent Jorge Mendes. Read the full story here.
Tottenham interest
According to The Athletic, superagent Jorge Mendes is in talks with Nunez and AS Roma's Tammy Abraham about replacing Harry Kane should the Tottenham Hotspur striker leave the Lillywhites this summer.
The report also claims that Mendes enjoys a solid relationship with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Managing Director Fabio Paratici.
Edu meeting
Arsenal are tracking Benfica striker Nunez ahead of a potential summer move, football.london understands. The forward has scored 26 goals in 33 games this season, including the winning strike in the recent Champions League last-16 win over Ajax.
Gunners technical director Edu is in contact with the representatives of Nunez and has shortlisted the Uruguayan forward as a potential summer signing.
Arsenal's 'charm offensive'
With Edu clearly intensifying his search for a new frontman, the Gunners have reportedly taken the first steps to persuade Nunez to join Mikel Arteta's project in north London.
As per the Record, the Gunners are on the 'charm offensive' to convince the Benfica man to join the club. The report adds that Arsenal are 'a few steps above' the likes of West Ham United and Newcastle United in pursuit of the 22-year-old. Whether Arsenal signs Nunez is a different question, but if reports are to be believed, the early signs are indeed encouraging.
Arsenal join Manchester United in transfer race
Having been impressed by his goal-scoring displays for Benfica, Arsenal are just the latest in a long line of clubs interested in making a move for Nunez as soon as the January transfer window opens. As well as the Gunners, Premier League rivals Manchester United, West Ham and Newcastle are also reportedly keeping tabs on his future.
That is according to CalcioMercato, who also suggests that Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich are also interested in swooping for the forward. Elsewhere, AC Milan also appears to be a contender attempting to find a potential replacement for former Gunners striker Olivier Giroud.
No offers lodged
Considering the fee that Benfica are demanding for Nunez, it is not a total surprise to learn that no offers matching have yet been lodged. As per Matteo Moretto, official bids to Benfica have not yet been forthcoming.
Considering the interest in his services, that could potentially change as the summer transfer window creeps into view.
