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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Man Utd 'in four-way transfer race' for Darwin Nunez as Benfica set asking price

Three top European sides are interested in signing Benfica star Darwin Nunez.

The Uruguayan striker, 22, has been in blistering form this season, scoring 21 goals in all competitions and winning the Primeira Liga's Player of the Month award in September.

Nunez also has eight senior caps at international level, scoring twice.

It's believed Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan are all monitoring his progress.

West Ham, Chelsea and Manchester City have previously been linked with the player.

Who should Manchester United sign in the summer? Let us know in the comments below!

Darwin Nunez is one of European football's most exciting strikers (Getty Images)

Benfica signed Nunez from Spanish outfit Almeria in the summer of 2020, costing them a club-record €24million - around £20.2m.

The talent's contract doesn't expire until June 2025 and Benfica will not sell him for any less than €50m - around £42.1m - according to Portuguese outlet A Bola, although any eventual fee is likely to be much higher.

Speaking in October 2020, then Benfica manager Jorge Jesus suggested Nunez would generate a higher transfer fee than Joao Felix.

The Portuguese giants sold Felix to Atletico Madrid in July 2019 for €126m - around £106.1m.

"We got it right," said Jesus when asked about Nunez. "We must not forget that he is a kid, he is 21 years old, there is a lot about the game that he does not know yet.

"He will learn with me and Benfica. All this decision-making ability, finishing and speed.

"He was Benfica's most expensive purchase, and when there is no pandemic, he will be the most expensive sale. Unfortunately for me, maybe I will lose him in a short time."

Many believe United should go all out to sign a midfielder in the summer, with the Premier League side already boasting several attacking options.

These include Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, although they're expected to lose Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard when their deals expire in June.

Speaking earlier this month, Arsenal legend Paul Merson urged the Red Devils to sign West Ham and England star Declan Rice, who is rated at £100m.

"I think Declan Rice will be gone this summer," Merson told Sky Sports. "I think it will be Man Utd, if you’re Man Utd you’ve got to break the bank.

Nunez has played alongside Luis Suarez at international level (RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images)

"If you look at their midfield it is not strong enough, they don’t dominate football matches and for me, they have to go and get him.

"I think he is the best in the business, he has improved immensely, he has taken his game up not one or two, I think he has taken it up ten-fold.

"From a holding midfield player, he is bombing forward, scoring goals, getting chances, and making goals. I can’t talk highly enough of the lad, I think he’s been absolutely phenomenal.

"Chelsea could go and get him but they could do without him.

"They’ve still got Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante – three unbelievable midfield players and they dominate football matches.

"But you look at Man Utd and the midfield isn’t strong enough to win anything really."

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