For the likes of Newcastle United and West Ham United, it seems that the ship has sailed when attempting to lure Benfica superstar Darwin Nunez to the Premier League.
The Uruguayan international has rapidly become one of the most-coveted strikers in European football and despite Newcastle and West Ham’s lofty ambitions, those two clubs don’t reportedly come into Nunez’s thinking as potential destinations this summer.
As well as the Toon Army and Hammers, Brighton were also hopeful of bringing the South American youngster to the south coast last summer.
While those three clubs see Nunez as a player that could take them to the next level, the view in Portugal according to the Telegraph is that the 22-year-old is already at that level — and that these teams needed him far more than he needed them.
Darwin Nunez a man for the big occasion
In 34 appearances this season, Nunez has 27 goals to his name and he is six goals clear at the top of the scoring charts in Portugal.
He has netted four times in the Champions League this campaign with goals against Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax.
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After heading home the winner against Ajax in the last-16, Benfica’s number nine has set up a quarter-final showdown with Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
West Ham failed with a bid of around £50m to land Nunez in January, but now the big clubs are circling with Manchester United and Atletico Madrid credited with an interest in the former Almeria forward.
But with the Portuguese giants wanting at least £60m for their prized asset, Nunez is only interested in joining a Champions League club.
That rules Brighton and Newcastle out and it’s hard to envisage Manchester United or West Ham ousting Tottenham or Arsenal to fourth place.
Darwin Nunez, hailed as ‘electric’ by Micah Richards, is box office but for several Premier League clubs, it’s looking like it will be nothing than a case of what could have been given his superstar status.