Darwin Nunez transfer would be a huge mistake for Man Utd or Arsenal
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 11 Apr 2022 13:38 CDT
- 3 min read
Benfica striker Darwin Nunez has been touted for a summer transfer to Manchester United or Arsenal – but both Premier League clubs would be well advised to steer clear of the striker.
On the face of things, Nunez makes for an enticing signing. He has 26 goals for the season across league and Champions League matches, including five netted in European competition.
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The 22-year-old has enjoyed an impressive career progression since signing for the club from Almeria in 2020 for €24 million.
Indeed, he has been one of the few bright sparks for Benfica in a campaign that has seen them limp into third domestically.
Benfica's crazy asking price
This has not stopped his club from putting an astonishing price tag of between €70-80m on the forward.
It is a crazy figure for a player coming off the back of what has been a breakout season.
To underline the nature of the transfer fee, take the case of Luis Diaz. While with Porto, he was widely considered to be the best player in Portugal. In January, a transfer window in which deals are notoriously overpriced, he moved to Liverpool for €45m.
Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, moved from Sporting CP to Manchester United for €55m in the winter window of €55m.
Benfica, perhaps eyeing the success that this pair has had in the Premier League, are wanting substantially more for a player who is weaker.
According to leading data analytics company SciSports, Nunez does not have the quality to make the grade at a leading Premier League club like Man Utd or Arsenal. It believes Nunez is the Portuguese league’s leading attacker, but that does not necessarily make for a top player at a higher level, despite strong performance in terms of his finishing and his offensive positioning.
Nunez does have a contract that runs until 2025, but that does not justify Benfica’s huge asking price. The message is clear: this is a deal that Man Utd and Arsenal should steer clear of at this unreasonable valuation.
