Arsenal may still have a chance at signing Benfica striker Darwin Nunez with Manchester City not currently planning to make a bid.
Arsenal are desperate for a couple of striking additions this summer, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah set to leave.
Nunez has emerged as one of the top Arsenal targets after excelling with Benfica.
Portuguese newspaper Record reported in March that Edu had started talks over a move to bring Nunez to Arsenal.
After 33 goals in 39 games for Benfica this season, Nunez would surely bolster the striking options at Arsenal.
The problem for Arsenal is that Benfica are understandably demanding a huge fee for their prized asset.
ESPN even claim that Benfica are now demanding a staggering €130million (£109million) for the Uruguayan and won’t listen to anything lower.
If true, Arsenal surely won’t be in a position to bring Nunez to the Emirates Stadium.
Few clubs in the world can pay that kind of money, but one of them is Manchester City.
Catalan newspaper AS now offer insight into Pep Guardiola’s plans for the Nunez race given that City have shown an interest.
However, it’s stated that Guardiola will only make a move for Nunez if a deal for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland falls through.
Only then would City get involved, with no move planned whilst the pursuit of Haaland is ongoing.
That at least gives Arsenal some hope of signing Nunez as at least they won’t have to deal with City as fierce competition.
Arsenal will though face a battle with a host of clubs for Nunez, with Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also keen.
Even Paris Saint-Germain are keen too, meaning Edu faces a difficult – and expensive – fight to sign the 22-year-old goal machine this summer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
