Arsenal are reportedly interested in recruiting Benfica striker Darwin Nunez in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have recovered magnificently after a dismal start to the season and now look favourites to clinch fourth and qualify for the Champions League.
They have come a long way under Mikel Arteta but face another important summer in terms of rebuilding the squad to try and reduce the gap between themselves and the teams above them.
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Arsenal have already made initial contact with Benfica star Darwin Nunez ahead of a possible swoop. Nunez will not come cheap, though, as Benfica want €80million to sell the forward.
Nunez, 22, has been superb this campaign, racking up 26 goals and two assists in just 33 games for Benfica. Not only has he delivered the goods in the Liga NOS but also lit up the Champions League with four goals in eight games, firing Nelson Verissimo’s side to the competitions’ quarter-finals scoring the winner against Ajax in the Round of 16.
Darwin Nunez to Arsenal – Missing piece of the jigsaw?
After missing out on Dusan Vlahovic in January, it is not surprising to see Arsenal already scouring the market for a top-quality centre-forward.
The north Londoners released Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January to facilitate a free transfer move to Barcelona after the Gabonese fell out with Arteta. The Gunners boss currently has Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as striker options at his disposal, although both will be out of contract in June.
🇺🇾 Arsenal have began the process of signing 22-year-old forward Darwin Núñez from Benfica. He has 26 goals in 33 appearances this season. He is valued at around €80m, reports @Record_Portugal. https://t.co/hGcNLfWZLS
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) March 24, 2022
As a result, Darwin Nunez has emerged as a potential transfer target for Arsenal. Nunez, who has been likened to compatriot Edinson Cavani, has taken the Liga NOS by storm this season, which has caught the attention of many clubs.
A club of Arsenal’s stature would be hard to turn down, particularly if they manage to clinch Champions League qualification.
The Uruguayan international’s blend of electric pace, agility, aggression, work ethic, stamina and ruthlessness in front of goal has been great to watch, establishing himself as the Eagles’ talisman this term. He is physically robust and aerially strong which makes him a real handful in the box for the defenders.
Certainly, Nunez has managed to put up some eye-catching numbers on the board – averaging 2.8 shots, 0.9 aerials won, 1.5 dribbles, 1 key pass and 0.5 long balls per 90 minutes in the Liga NOS.
However, an average of just 64.6% pass success rate means he needs to improve his distribution skills and link-up play to a certain extent to thrive in Arteta’s system at Arsenal. (Stats courtesy: Whoscored)
At 22, the Uruguayan has a long way to go in his career and can nurture his skills under the watchful eyes of Arteta. If Lacazette does end up leaving Arsenal at the end of the season, Nunez possesses the skill-set to become the perfect long-term successor of the Frenchman.
