Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Arsenal race past two Prem rivals as Edu advances towards transformative striker deal for Arteta

Arsenal chief Edu with a smiling Mikel Arteta

Arsenal have moved ahead of West Ham and Newcastle in the race to sign Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, according to a report.

A host of exciting talents have risen to prominence in the Portuguese top flight of late – and this season is no different. Indeed, former Porto winger Luis Diaz was the subject of a transfer scramble in January.

Tottenham and West Ham came close to snapping the Colombian up, but Liverpool eventually swooped in.

Uruguay international Nunez could well be the next star from the Portuguese top division to move to the Premier League.

West Ham are keen on the 22-year-old alongside Newcastle, as both sides look for attacking reinforcements. The Hammers tried and failed to sign Nunez, Diaz and Hugo Ekitike in January. The Magpies, meanwhile, failed to add to Chris Wood’s arrival up top.

However, Arsenal also need a new striker and reports have claimed that Nunez has emerged on their radar.

And after holding ‘background talks’ with the striker’s agent, Record has claimed that the Gunners are now ahead of Newcastle and West Ham in the race for Nunez.

Indeed, Arsenal – led by recruitment chief Edu – are on the ‘charm offensive’ according to the Portuguese newspaper.

Manchester United looking at Darwin Nunez from Benfica

Manchester United looking at Darwin Nunez from Benfica

Darwin Nunez from Benfica a top target for Manchester United and other Premier League clubs

Mikel Arteta rebuilt all areas of his team apart from his attack in last summer’s transfer window. And a new recruit up top has subsequently become a major priority.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left for Barcelona in January on a free transfer following a falling-out with Arteta.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out of contract at the end of the season.

As well as Nunez, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Armando Broja – who is on loan at Southampton from Chelsea – are also on Arsenal’s radar.

Nunez looking forward to crunch Liverpool meeting

Darwin Nunez celebrating for Benfica

Uruguayan star Nunez has proved himself this season with 26 goals in 33 games in all competitions.

One of those was the crucial winner against Ajax to send Benfica to the Champions League quarter-finals.

They will therefore meet Liverpool for a place in the semi-finals and Nunez has an even more high-profile chance to prove himself.

The Reds are fighting on all four fronts and their defence has been a key part of their progression.

In fact, they have kept four clean sheets in the past five games. As such, Nunez will be looking to test Liverpool’s defence and stamp his mark in Europe ahead of the summer transfer window.