Manchester City have made it their goal to sign a striker this summer as they’ve gone the entire season without a recognised centre-forward.
Pep Guardiola has rotated Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling in the role, but he wants one of Harry Kane, Erling Haaland or Darwin Nunez to lead the line in 2022/23.
And although City have stiff competition from Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AS Monaco and Bayern Munich, Portuguese outlet Record (h/t Sport Witness) say the Premier League leaders are leading the race for his signature.
Nunez joined Benfica on a five-year deal from UD Almeria in 2020 and has gone on to make 79 appearances in all competitions, scoring 42 goals with 15 assists. The 22-year-old has been in fine form this season, scoring 28 goals in 35 games, so it’s easy to see why City are keen.
Nunez has scored against Barcelona, Bayern, Ajax and Liverpool in the Champions League, so he has real pedigree in Europe. The Uruguayan international won’t come cheap with an €80m (£66.8m) asking price, however.
Haaland is City’s No.1 transfer target, but it does appear Nunez is open to the move if a deal is struck between the two clubs.