After a successful season with Benfica, which the Uruguayan striker showed his prowess in front of goal, both in domestic competitions and in Europe, a move away from Lisbon continues to grow into realization.
Darwin Nuñez is one of the few big names on the shopping list this summer for big teams looking to add a striker to the ranks and it is now set to be a battle between the two Premier League giants.
32 goals in 38 club games last season, Benfica are now demanding around €100 million for the player signed from La Liga 2 side, Almeria just two summers ago for €24 million.
It is only Nuñez’ second season in top-flight football season leaving his childhood club, Club Atletico Penarol as a teenager in 2017, where he was able to score just four goals in 22 games.
He wasn’t very impressive in his debut season with the Portuguese club as he could only manage six goals in 29 league games so this is the first season Nuñez has really catch the headlines.
He was the second best rated player in the Premeira Liga last season, behind Luis Diaz, who moved to Liverpool in January. He also won the top scorer award, scoring six more goals than the nearest player.
Apart from his goals, he also contributed handsomely to Benfica’s build up in the league, creating 30 chances and assisting four league goals.
With his athletic body, he is a handful for defenders, using his explosive pace to create immediate seperation once a pass is made. His awareness and great positioning also makes it more difficult for defenders to mark him out.
He is also good with both feet and a good header of the ball. Despite being right footed, five of his 26 league goals last season came with his head and another five from his weaker left foot.
Most importantly, he is a deadly finisher with great striker instinct. His 26 league goals is far beyond his expected goals of only 18.72 which mean he could easily be the most productive striker in top leagues.
At age 22, he has what it takes to be a good all-round striker. He can also play on the left wing of attack.
However, there has been scenarios of players possessing all these qualities and even better endured torrid spells once they make a move to a bigger team, where the expectation is much higher.
A move to either Liverpool or Manchester United will mean increased pressure since the standards at the clubs is much different. And it could become even more difficult for Nuñez, who has only had one good season in a top-flight league.
Liverpool has in the past signed a striker like Nuñez in Andy Carrol and he could also be compared to Luis Suarez. His arrival to the Premier league will on evidence turned out to be like either of the two former Reds.
Andy Carrol joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in the winter of 2011 after the departure of Fernando Torres to Chelsea. The striker had been praised for his classic striker abilities due to his strength, shot and heading abilities.
After sealing a £3t million to Anfield on the deadline day, many thought it was the right move for both parties as the then 22-year-old striker, who has wowed the spectators at the Saint James’Park.
It turned to be the otherwise as Carrol failed woefully at Liverpool. He ended up making 58 appearances, scoring eleven goals and then sent out on loan before eventually leaving the club.
It was a different story for Nuñez’ countryman, Luis Suarez, who enjoyed a successful spell in Merseyside after joining from Ajax in the same transfer window as Andy Carrol.
Despite costing less than Carrol, Suarez went on to become the better signing by a country mile.
The striker won the Premier league top scorer award as well as the Player of the season. He also featured in the PFA team of the year twice. Won the Premier league Player of the season and the FWA Player of the year awards.
And after three and a half year with the Reds, he was sold to Barcelona for huge profit. Though the fee was undisclosed, it was later leaked and became known that Liverpool had received £64.98 millions from Barcelona for the striker.
Suarez also went on to enjoyed a trophy laden career in Barcelona including the UEFA Champions League in 2015. He is regarded as one of the best striker to ever grace Anfield, recording 128 goal contributions (84 goals, 46 assists) in 133 games for them.
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Nuñez has some work to do in order to reach the standard set by his countryman but even though he has the attributes, and luckily he will be coming to a very well organized Liverpool side under Jürgen Klopp, it is still a risky deal at around €100 million.
Getting it right will also help Liverpool match their rival, Manchester City, who have secured Haaland for next season. Liverpool narrowly lost the league title to City and to be able to compete again next season, they will also have to strengthen moreso for the imminent departure of Sadio Mané.
Manchester United also have to thread this deal which great caution as they have in recent time build a reputation of spending big on the wrong players.
Harry Maguire, Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek and even Jadon Sancho are evidence to this while Raphael Varane also struggled in his first season in England.
Benfica’s demands could fend off interest in the player this summer but should either be willing to match the asking price, there is no certainty that a player who’s just had a first good season will be worth the hype.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
