Arsenal have initiated background talks with Darwin Nunez and his representatives to express their interest in moving for the 22-year-old Uruguayan international.
According to Express, Arsenal are stepping up their efforts to make a move for Darwin Nunez in the summer transfer window. The Gunners have reportedly started talking to the striker’s representatives to understand the demands before making an official approach to Benfica.
Arsenal are set to embark on a busy summer transfer window, with Mikel Arteta eyeing reinforcements in several key areas. The north Londoners seem secure at the back, with the impending return of on-loan defender William Saliba set to strengthen their ranks. However, they might dip into the market for a midfielder, a wide attacker and a striker.
The striker’s position is understandably the pressing issue for those in charge of Arsenal. Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah could follow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the club when their contracts expire in the close season. Arteta retains hope of keeping the Frenchman beyond this season, which is not connected to the club signing a new frontman.
As Arsenal remain the favourite to play in next season’s UEFA Champions League, many big names are mentioned to become their new leading striker. The Gunners are interested in Darwin Nunez, Victor Osimhen, Alexander Isak and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, to name a few.
Other names, such as Luka Jovic, have come under consideration as well, although Arteta seems to favour players that have enjoyed some form of consistency in the recent past. Lately, the Spaniard has reportedly explored the idea of signing either Osimhen or Nunez, with talks already initiated for the latter.
According to the report, Arsenal have started talks in the background with Nunez’s representatives to figure out more details regarding the player and his apparent demands. It may take a reported €80 million to secure the 22-year-old Uruguayan international.
Arsenal would certainly look to negotiate the price down to a reasonable sum to fit their budget. However, they face tough competition from Newcastle United, West Ham United and Liverpool for the striker. The Gunners want to sort things out in the background before heading into the negotiation room with Benfica.
Benfica had rejected an offer in the January transfer window, reportedly from West Ham United, as they wait on a larger proposal during the summer. Nunez fits the mould of the striker needed by Arsenal and Arteta, as he is young, fast and offers technical quality in the final third.
It remains to be seen what it might take for Arsenal to sign the striker in the summer window. The Gunners will have to sort initial details and iron out important elements. Nunez will certainly suit what Arsenal need from their new striker, even potentially becoming the face of the club’s offensive unit under Arteta.