Riccardo Ferri hails Darwin Nunez for being capable of what is ‘not usually done’ for a star at his age, amid reports Arsenal are speaking with the Benfica ace’s agent over his transfer.
The former Inter Milan defender is in awe of what Nunez has shown with As Aguias so far this season. So much so that Ferri considers the 22-year-old on par with Erling Haaland and Dusan Vlahovic. He also believes comparisons to Edison Cavani make for accurate reading.
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Nunez has blown Ferri – a long-term admirer – away this term after scoring 32 goals across 37 games in all competitions. The Uruguayan struck his latest effort on Wednesday night in a 3-3 Champions League quarter-final draw at Liverpool, having also scored in the first-leg.
His Anfield effort took Nunez’s European haul to six in 10 games this season, the most by a Benfica player in a single campaign ever. It followed a brace at home to Barcelona and one away to Bayern Munich in the group stage, before striking once at Ajax during the last 16.
Arsenal are now among the many teams targeting Nunez’s summer transfer from Benfica. 90min report the Gunners have spoken to the eight-cap attacker’s agent, along with Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham. He has also informed As Aguias that he is ready to leave.
But The Athletic report Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain would lead a tussle for the €70m (£58m) star’s services. Although The Sun note Nunez and his camp see Arsenal and Tottenham as more preferable locations, given the two clubs’ playing styles.
Arsenal told target Darwin Nunez of Benfica capable of what’s ‘not usually done’
Arsenal will be in the market for a centre-forward this summer with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract. Mikel Arteta explored a deal for Vlahovic in January but missed out to Juventus, while the Daily Mail add the Gunners felt he strung them along.
Now, Nunez could offer Arteta and Arsenal their Vlahovic alternative with a transfer from Benfica. And Ferri is certain the Uruguayan has a great depth to the 6 ft 1 star’s qualities.
“I see personality in Darwin Nunez,” Ferri said, via quotes by TuttoMercatoWEB. “In my opinion, the comparison with Cavani fits perfectly, for positioning and movements. He has an open future, playing at these levels with this attitude is great.
“We are talking about Vlahovic and Haaland, Nunez has not blinded everyone but I have been talking about him for a long time. He does things that are not usually done at that age. We will see.”
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