West Ham United could launch a late move to sign 22-year-old Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez from Benfica before the transfer deadline.
According to a report by 90 min, West Ham United’s search for a striker has taken them to Benfica, with Darwin Nunez emerging as a target to close the January transfer window successfully. The 22-year-old Uruguayan striker is open to joining the Hammers in a deadline day move.
Darwin Nunez has gone from strength to strength since joining Benfica from Almeria in September 2020. The Uruguayan striker experienced teething problems initially but has been on a roll in the past year and has been in tremendous form in the ongoing campaign.
The 22-year-old has amassed a tally of 20 goals in 25 appearances across all competitions this term, with his exploits in the UEFA Champions League earning Benfica a spot in the Round of 16 at the expense of Barcelona. Nunez’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, with several clubs across Europe, including West Ham United, setting their sights on him.
West Ham’s search for a striker has completed one year this month, with the club unable to land a natural centre-forward since Sebastien Haller’s move to Ajax in January 2021. The Hammers have since been linked with a gamut of strikers, with Stade de Reims forward Hugo Ekitike one of their latest targets.
The long-drawn, largely unsuccessful pursuit of a striker has lately forced West Ham to consider signing versatile attackers, with Raphinha and Leandro Trossard popping up on their radar. But it looks like the Londoners have not given up on signing an out and out striker, with Darwin Nunez emerging as a possible deadline day target.
Nunez has the potential of challenging first-choice striker Michail Antonio for the primary berth and possibly succeeding the Jamaican international. With Antonio on the wrong side of 30, signing a young striker like Nunez will be a step in the right direction for West Ham.
West Ham will also be boosted by Nunez’s stance on a possible transfer, with the 22-year-old Uruguayan striker open to joining them even though he has taken Benfica to the knockout stages of the Champions League. The Hammers are hoping to land Nunez, formerly a target for Newcastle United, on a permanent deal but will need to accelerate their efforts, with time running out ahead of the transfer deadline.