Real Madrid and Barcelona are giving each other a run for their money as the two La Liga clubs vie for the signing of Darwin Nunez from Benfica.
According to a recent report from A Bola, Real Madrid and Barcelona are both interested in signing Benfica’s 21-year-old Darwin Nunez as the race for the Uruguayan striker heats up.
Nunez began his journey at Peñarol’s youth setup at the age of just fourteen, in 2013. As he developed, Nunez made his debut for the Uruguayan club in November 2017. However, the year was difficult for the youngster as he picked up a couple of knee injuries at the tender age of 18.
Nunez impressed on returning from injury and earned a transfer to Spanish club UD Almeria in 2019. He scored 16 goals for Almeria and the lit up the Spanish second division. Despite failing to help Almeria get promoted to the first division, the Uruguayan earned a big-money move to Benfica ahead of the 2020/21 season.
Nunez was the most expensive signing in Benfica’s history, costing a total of €24 Million. Nunez has had a good start to life at Benfica, scoring 5 and assisting 6 in his first 11 matches. His performances have caught the eye of several top clubs over the past weeks. With Man City being linked previously, the big dogs – Real Madrid and Barcelona – have also entered the race.
It has almost been a season since Barcelona have been getting linked to strikers left, right and centre. Several players like Lautaro Martinez have been linked before. With Luis Suarez leaving and Antoine Griezmann failing to completely settle at the club, Barcelona have now shifted their attention towards Nunez.
However, Barcelona are now being challenged by arch rival, Real Madrid, for the Uruguayan’s signature. Given Barcelona’s financial status, it wouldn’t be the easiest competition to win.
Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, there has evidently been a goalscoring problem for Los Blancos. Several players have been signed to fill that void with Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic being the most marquee of the lot. Hazard has struggled for fitness since he arrived at Madrid, while Jovic continues to disappoint.
?⚪️???? @SLBenfica pic.twitter.com/Y7awyi0ZL7
— Darwin Nuñez (@Darwinn99) October 5, 2020
The majority of the onus lies on talisman Karim Benzema, who turns 33 at the end of the year. As a result, Real Madrid have some long-term planning to do, with Nunez emerging as a viable candidate to carry the goalscoring responsibility at the club.
Inter Milan too are outside competitors in this race as they face the possible departure of either Lautaro Martinez or Romelu Lukaku, who are both being linked to moves elsewhere. Nunez would be a shrewd addition to Conte’s system.
With Darwin Nunez contracted till 2025 at Benfica, his signature will surely be a costly one. Benfica have done brilliant business in the past with Joao Felix, and Nunez could face a similar situation. Nonetheless, he would prove to be a great addition to either of the La Liga giants as they look to return to their very best.
