Darwin Nunez has confirmed he is changing agents in a move which has fuelled speculation over a blockbuster summer transfer. Newcastle United have been credited with an interest in the prolific Benfica striker alongside a host of Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United.
Nunez has enjoyed a phenomenal campaign to date, scoring 28 times in all competitions so far including five Champions League strikes. The Uruguay international netted in the recent first-leg defeat to Liverpool and added to his growing reputation in front of watching scouts at the Estadio da Luz.
Newcastle were tentatively linked with a January move for the 22-year-old, and reports continue to link the Magpies despite the January arrival of Chris Wood. However, Nunez's sparkling form has led Benfica to reportedly place a hefty £67m price tag on his head.
GO HERE: The Big Takeover Survey - rate the start Newcastle owners have made six months in
This would represent a significant outlay for Newcastle despite their newfound status as one of the world's richest football clubs. Nunez's impact in the Champions League also raises the question of whether Eddie Howe's side stand a realistic chance of beating a number of Europe's elite clubs to the coveted striker's signature.
Tom Kundert is a Portuguese football expert and the founder of website PortuGOAL.net, and he is confident the Benfica forward has the physical attributes required to succeed in the Premier League. He told ChronicleLive: "Nunez is a big, burly, speedy forward who can play through the middle or down either flank in a front three.
"He has mainly played centrally as the main striker but often drifts to either wing. He's got tremendous strength and speed and is very direct when he gets hold of the ball, always heading straight towards goal.
"He reminds me of Kylian Mbappe - all power, speed and directness - although he is obviously nowhere near that absolute elite level."
Nunez's endured a mixed debut campaign with Benfica after the Portuguese giants made the forward their record signing in a €24m deal from Spanish second-tier side Almeria. However, a free-scoring second season has raised hopes he can follow assume the mantle for Uruguay left behind by the likes of Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan, and Luis Suarez.
Reflecting on these comparisons, Kundert said: "None of those three players had the speed of Nunez, but they all had something Nunez does not have, at least not yet - composure in front of goal. Nunez tends to rush things when near the opposition net, he will have to improve his decision-making and become more efficient in front of goal to join that sort of company."
Atletico Madrid are considered to be among the frontrunners for the Benfica forward this summer, with Brighton and West Ham also linked. The Primeira Liga has had a number of notable exports to the Premier League in recent seasons, but there are dozens of examples of high-profile players failing to adapt to English football.
However, Kundert has no such concerns over Nunez joining the infamous list of flops should he decided upon such a move. Encouragingly for Newcastle fans too, the Portuguese football expert believes a St James' Park switch could actually be the ideal transfer for the forward.
Kundert said: "The main concern about players moving from the Portuguese league to the Premier League is about their ability to adapt to the greater physicality and speed of the game, although the way players like Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias hit the ground running is evidence that this difference in the leagues of the two countries is a little overplayed in my opinion. That said, given that Nunez's strength and all-round physical attributes are what makes him stand out, I'm sure he'll have no problem adapting.
"I think a club like Newcastle could be the right move. Nunez still has a lot of rough edges and if he went to a super club I fear he could find it tough getting constant playing time."
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
