With the summer transfer window quickly approaching, Arsenal will certainly be considering how they plan on making a move for a striker. Mikel Arteta is set to wave goodbye to both Alexandre Lacazatte and Eddie Nketiah at the end of the season, leaving a dire need for attacking recruits.
A potential candidate that has been mentioned over the past few months is Benfica’s Nunez. The 22-year-old has forged a reputation as a lethal forward in the Portuguese league having plundered 26 goals in 33 outings in all competitions this term.
However, it might not quite be as easy to get him out of the Estadio da Luz as first suspected. The first hurdle that the Gunners will have to successfully navigate is the pricey demands that Benfica have seemingly put on his services.
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According to reports, the 37-time Portuguese champions are aiming to earn approximately €80m (£67m) from Nunez’s sale - a figure that Arsenal have only ever surpassed once - the club-record arrival of Nicolas Pepe in 2019. That is not the only challenge that the north Londoners are faced with.
As it stands, there is set to be plenty of change in Lisbon on the managerial front. As per German outlet Kicker, current PSV Eindhoven manager Roger Schmidt is set to be appointed as Benfica’s new coach - replacing Nelson Verissimo at the helm. The former has only been in charge since December after the club elected to sack Jorge Jesus.
Since then, Nunez has found some spectacular form under Verissimo having netted eight goals in just 11 games. Whilst a change in management might not necessarily see the prospect of any deal scuppered, there could be a few delays as Schmidt gets his feet under the table and evaluates the squad at his disposal.
Intriguingly, that could also impact another deal that Arsenal are reportedly interested in. According to reports, the Gunners are leading the race for Dutch forward Cody Gakpo.
With his current manager, Schmidt, set for a move to Lisbon, that leaves Gakpo’s current employer PSV searching for a new manager too. As per ED, Manchester United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy will be announced as the club’s next manager.
Like his predecessor, the Dutchman may require some time to assess his current squad and see exactly what positions need the most investment. That might inadvertently delay any deal for Gakpo - the wideman appearing unlikely to remain at the Philips Stadion next term regardless.
Arsenal then will hope that both of those respective delays do not drag on for too long as they attempt to seal a much-needed attacking addition ahead of the summer transfer window.
