Darwin Nunez has confirmed that he is set to make a £22 million move to Benfica with Tottenham Hotspur, Sheffield United and Southampton missing out, while speaking to La Voz.
It only took one season in the Spanish second tier for the highly-rated Uruguay international to establish himself as one of the most coveted strikers in Europe.
Nunez plundered 16 goals for a Saudi-backed Almeria side in 2019/20, earning comparisons with Edinson Cavani while leading their eventually unsuccessful promotion charge.
Southampton had an initial £11 million rejected, according to Calciomeracto, in August, while Sheffield United and Brighton and Hove Albion showed an interest too (La Voz).
Tottenham, meanwhile, are still in the market for a back-up striker capable of easing the burden on Harry Kane and Football London reports that the 21-year-old emerged as something of a left-field option.
A classic penalty box poacher blessed with speed, strength and an insatiable work-record, Nunez is certainly the sort of bullish number nine Jose Mourinho tends to get the best out of.
But the former Penarol youngster will instead be tasked with returning the glory days to Benfica rather than firing Tottenham back into the top four next season.
“I signed for five years with Benfica. Almeria will be in my heart. I wanted to say goodbye to the club personally, because they always treated me very well from the first day. Thanks for everything,” he says.
Benfica collapsed in the final few weeks of last season to gift the title to bitter rivals Porto, although the Lisbon giants are clearly determined to reclaim their throne at the first time of asking.
Legendary manager Jorge Jesus has returned alongside new signings Jan Vertonghen, Luca Waldschmidt, Pedrinho and Brazil international Everton Soares.
At £22 million, Nunez is the most expensive of the lot (Sun).
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