‘Money to spend’ – Journo shares update on West Ham chase for Darwin Nunez
West Ham have money to spend this summer and are still interested in Darwin Nunez, but Benfica want one of the biggest sales in Portuguese history.
That’s according to an update by journalist Ryan Taylor on YouTube, following a deadline day move by the Hammers for the Uruguay international in January.
David Moyes’ side had a club-record £50m bid rejected by Benfica [ExWHUEmployee] and Taylor says the Hammers will need to pay way more than that to get their man ahead of rival clubs.
“Benfica feel like this could be one of the biggest sales in Portuguese history,” he said.
“Obviously they sold Joao Felix to Atletico Madrid (£112.9m), they’ve sold Ruben Dias to Manchester City as well (£65m). But that’s the kind of, sort of, figure that they’re estimating to receive for Darwin Nunez.
“There is an understanding that he will probably move on. He is now deemed to be one of the best young strikers in world football. To be honest, I do see him moving on this summer, but where that will be is another question.
“Newcastle were strongly interested, they had a look in January but they felt a deal was quite difficult to do in mid-season. Obviously, West Ham had the club record bid rejected by Benfica. There is money to spend at West Ham.
“He has a release clause of €125m and I don’t expect anyone to trigger that, but Benfica could be well within their rights to demand upwards of £70-80m for the striker.”
One of the best
Nunez has seen his reputation on the continent rise brilliantly over the last 12 months or so because of his performances for Benfica.
He helped them in the Portuguese Liga and while he is currently the top scorer in the division, he also helped them to eliminate Barcelona from the Champions League.
There is reported interest from top clubs such as Barcelona, Manchester United and Bayern Munich so the Hammers are in big company in their interest, but they can guarantee first-team, regular football if they sign him.
They have got money to spend after quiet windows recently, but whether they would be willing or able to go all the way up to Benfica’s asking price which would smash their club record.
If they are though, then they’d be silly not to. Nunez would take their attack up to a whole new level and is young enough to keep improving even more.
In other West Ham news, Journo shares latest on potential West Ham move for ‘exciting’ South American ace