Liverpool have signed Darwin Nunez from Benfica which was confirmed by the Portuguese club on Sunday evening. The Uruguayan will join the Reds despite reported interest from Manchester United.
Arsenal were also linked to the forward but the failure to qualify for the Champions League seemed to destroy any chances of a potential deal. Despite this, Arsenal are still set to benefit from Nunez’s transfer to Liverpool.
The transfer will likely prevent the Reds from trying to sign one of Arsenal's young stars this summer. On top of this, the Gunners will face less competition in trying to sign their transfer targets ahead of next season.
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The Daily Mail had reported that Liverpool were interested in potentially securing the services of Bukayo Saka in the transfer window before a move for Nunez was completed. However, the report went on to claim that the Reds would first prioritise other areas.
With Nunez being signed for a deal worth £85million, it is unlikely that Liverpool would also go on to spend heavily on another attacker with Saka also expected to cost around the same price as the Uruguayan. The 20-year-old is currently valued at £84million, according to CIES Football Observatory.
This is a big positive for Arsenal as the Englishman is viewed as one of the club's most valuable assets and football.london understands that the Gunners have made extending the current contract of the youngster a key priority in the summer transfer window.
There had also been links with Liverpool and Gabriel Martinelli. Liverpool eased past the Gunners in the semi-final second leg of the Carabao Cup In January, but Martinelli was the stand-out player for Arsenal.
His performance was so impactful that Klopp had singled out his display in the post-match press conference despite not being asked about the 20-year-old.
“Martinelli, by the way, everyone should remember that name. he’s an outstanding player,” the Liverpool boss said.
Worryingly for Arsenal fans, it was not the first time Klopp has singled out the Brazilian for the quality he possesses. However, the transfer for Nunez would also make a move for Martinelli unlikely.
The Gunners will be in desperate need of a forward in the summer. Alexandre Lacazette's departure from the club has left Mikel Arteta short in attacking options following the opening of the summer transfer window.
Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun are the Spaniard's options despite neither player having endured a full Premier League season where they have been a regular starter. And even that is if - as expected - Nketiah signs a new deal in the coming weeks. It highlights the need for the Gunners to strengthen in the forward department.
Earlier in the season, French news outlet Le10 Sport reported that the Reds are continuing to monitor Lille and Canada forward Jonathan David ahead of a possible bid. He was a player who has been heavily linked to the Gunners.
Arsenal are long-term admirers of the young striker and their interest in him dates back to his time in Belgium with Gent before he joined Lille in 2020.
However, with Liverpool signing Nunez it has meant that Arsenal have less competition if they reignite their interest in David, highlighting why Nunez’s move to Liverpool will benefit Arsenal.
