Any lingering hope that Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Sheffield United and Brighton & Hove Albion had of signing the Almeria striker Darwin Nunez appears to be over.
Tottenham (Football.London), Southampton (Calciomercato), Sheffield United and Brighton (both La Voz) had all been linked with summer moves for Nunez, who scored 16 goals in 30 games last season.
But Benfica’s interest was always lurking in the background.
And Record reports that, ‘after advances and setbacks, the novel is closed’ and Nunez will be a Benfica player.
The newspaper adds that the 21-year-old is travelling to Lisbon on Wednesday, where he will undergo a medical and sign for the Eagles in a €24 million (around £21.3m) deal – the most expensive ever for a Portuguese club, brokered by the club’s legendary ex-midfielder turned director of football, Rui Costa.
Neither Tottenham, Southampton, Sheffield United nor Brighton have added to their striking options so far in the summer transfer window.
And United (Leon Clarke and Richairo Zivkovic) and Brighton (Glenn Murray) have been left with fewer options following departures.
But it remains to be seen to whom the quartet turn to now, with Nunez seemingly off the market.
Fans of Tottenham, Southampton, Sheffield United and Brighton – who’s the one striker your club should sign?
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