Arsenal appear to have jumped to the front of the queue in the race to sign Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, ahead of Newcastle United and West Ham United.
That’s according to Portuguese newspaper Record, who claim that Arsenal have started a charm offensive to try and sign Nunez.
Arsenal are now thought to be above the likes of Newcastle and West Ham given that they have a stronger chance of offering Champions League football.
Nunez has been absolutely outstanding this season, racking up 26 goals and two assists in just 33 games for Benfica.
The Uruguayan hitman, 22, looks set to become a star and has been backed to be ‘world class’ by former boss Jorge Jesus.
Arsenal are desperate for a new striker with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract this summer.
You can expect Arsenal to spend big on a new goalscorer this summer, and Edu is understood to have started talks with Nunez’s representatives.
Arsenal look to be positioning themselves for Nunez, which would be a huge blow to Newcastle and West Ham.
West Ham made an offer to sign Nunez in late January but Benfica refused to sell to the Hammers.
Newcastle are allegedly accelerating their plan to sign Nunez in a deal that could reach £60million.
Newcastle were heavily linked with Nunez for months now and seemingly aren’t willing to back out of the race just yet.
PIF’s investment means Newcastle are a huge threat in any transfer race and the same goes for Nunez.
Arsenal have shown a willingness to spend themselves in recent times, and going big for a new hitman like Nunez makes total sense.
This latest report is very encouraging for Arsenal and may now make Nunez the top striker target for Edu, over the likes of Jonathan David, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Victor Osimhen.
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