Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly facing stiff competition from Tottenham Hotspur in pursuit of 22-year-old Benfica striker Darwin Nunez.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, the race to sign Darwin Nunez is intensifying. The 22-year-old Benfica striker is being courted by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur over a potential move in the January transfer window.
Darwin Nunez has made massive strides since joining Benfica from Almeria in the summer of 2020. After experiencing teething problems initially at Estadio da Luz, the Uruguayan striker has come into his own, becoming a prolific striker in front of goal.
The 22-year-old has started the 2021/22 season strongly, racking up eight goals and two assists in 13 appearances across all competitions. The player’s scintillating progress over the past year has not gone unnoticed, with Nunez popping up on the radars of some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Some of his suitors are Barcelona, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.
Barcelona signed two strikers in the summer transfer window in Sergio Aguero and Luuk de Jong. However, neither player has been unable to make much of an impact for different reasons. While Aguero has been forced to the sidelines because of a heart condition, de Jong has been hugely unimpressive, drawing the ire of Barcelona legend Luis Suarez Miramontes.
Therefore, Nunez is a viable target for the Catalan giants, who are battling bitter rivals Real Madrid in his pursuit. Los Blancos need to lay down a succession plan for Karim Benzema despite his strong performances in recent years. With the Frenchman well into his thirties, it would behove Real Madrid to sign a long-term replacement, thereby explaining the interest in the 22-year-old.
The latest club to be linked with the Uruguayan striker is Tottenham. Spurs continue to remain in a precarious situation over the future of Harry Kane, although there has not been a lot of speculation surrounding the England captain lately. However, with Antonio Conte having no recognised striker to choose from beyond Kane, signing Nunez would make sense.
Apart from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Tottenham, Juventus are also showing an interest in the 22-year-old striker. With the competition for his signature heating up, it remains to be seen if any of the suitors mentioned above can swoop Nunez away from Benfica in January or if he stays put in Lisbon.
