West Ham must be cautious in race to sign Darwin Nunez from Benfica
The search for a striker to rival Michail Antonio at West Ham is going to be a hot topic for many months to come with the summer transfer window approaching.
One name that has been linked with a move to the London Stadium, both for the summer and in the already elapsed January window, is Benfica’s Darwin Nunez [The Sun].
The 22-year-old has been in scintillating form in Portugal this season with 26 goals in all competitions, including the winner for Benfica away at Ajax in the Champions League.
It was only the price tag that prevented the Irons from signing the Uruguayan in January as the two clubs could not agree on a deal but that seems even less likely now.
Record have reported that the Liga NOS third-placed side have upped their asking price to an eye-watering £67million which may well price the Hammers out of a move.
They probably could finance a deal but it would also come at the detriment of other potential signings that David Moyes needs to bolster his squad.
A defender has been high on his priority list but if the club spends such a large sum on one player, that leaves them on the back foot elsewhere.
Nunez is arguably worth the amount Benfica are asking for, given his sensational season so far, but only to a club that spends massive money in their sleep.
West Ham have never been that kind of club and you wouldn’t want them to entirely change what they are for the sake of one player.
There are much cheaper alternatives out there for Moyes to peruse over and choose from with Antonio still a very good option to lead the line.
In other West Ham news, Jamie Carragher has made his top-four predictions for the Premier League this season after recent developments elsewhere.
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