Rumour Has It: Darwin Nunez sets sights on Premier League

By Sports Desk May 31, 2022

Striker Darwin Nunez has reportedly chosen the Premier League as his preferred destination in the upcoming transfer window as he prepares to leave Benfica after a breakout season.

Nunez, who turns 23 in June, burst onto the European stage with an incredible Champions League campaign, netting six goals in 10 matches – a Benfica record – including scoring in both legs against Liverpool in the knockout stages.

He was just as impressive domestically, scoring 26 goals in 28 Primeira Liga games, and now looks to be on the move.

TOP STORY – DARWIN'S THEORIES LEAD HIM TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Football Transfers reports that both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid had weighed up offers for Nunez, but he has his heart set on the Premier League.

Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly in the strongest position, while Newcastle United and Tottenham are also interested and are said to have met with his representatives.

Nunez is being represented by Eugenio Lopez, who had previously represented fellow Benfica team-mate Nicolas Otamendi in his move from Valencia to Manchester City.

ROUND-UP

United have engaged in talks with Ajax over 20-year-old Netherlands centre-back Jurrien Timber, with the price tag said to be in the range of £43million, according to the Guardian.

– According to Sky Sports, Sadio Mane has not told Liverpool he wants to leave the club as rumours swirl about a potential move to Bayern Munich.

– The Telegraph is reporting City will look to sign Brighton and Hove Albion full-back Marc Cucurella and Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, while according to the Daily Mail, they also have strong interest in Leicester City youngster Ben Nelson.

Paris Saint-Germain have exercised their buy option on loanee Nuno Mendes, securing his services going forward for a €40m fee, per Fabrizio Romano.

– The Daily Mail is reporting Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal are all interested in making a move for Everton striker Richarlison if he decides to leave Goodison Park.

Related items

  • Rashford rubbishes 'nonsense' reports he is seeking £500k a week from Man Utd Rashford rubbishes 'nonsense' reports he is seeking £500k a week from Man Utd

    Marcus Rashford has denied "nonsense" claims he is holding out for a huge £500,000-a-week deal to stay at Manchester United.

    The England international, who has scored a career-best 27 goals in 44 games this campaign, is due to be out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of next season.

    According to British publication the Daily Star, Rashford's United future is in limbo due to the ongoing sale of the club and his big wage demands.

    However, the 25-year-old directly replied to the article on his personal Twitter page on Wednesday to deny that is the case.

    "Just before this one starts to do the rounds! It's complete nonsense," he posted. "The club and make self [sic] have been respectful to one another, and that's how it will remain. 

    "My focus is purely on finishing as well as possible in the league and winning trophies."

    Rashford added on Instagram: "Another non-story flying around about my advisors and me making demands. It's complete nonsense!

    "My aim and the club's aims are to finish as high as possible in the league and to try and win a cup or two."

    Rashford's goals tally this season has been bettered only by Kylian Mbappe (31) and Erling Haaland (42) among players across Europe's top five leagues.

    He has spent eight seasons as part of United's first team since making his big breakthrough with two goals on his debut against Midtjylland in February 2016 as an 18-year-old.

    Speaking last month, United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed the club are working on tying down the academy product to fresh terms.

    "Of course [Rashford's new contract] is a priority," he said. "We are working on that. Just sit and wait. In the background. we are working hard."

    Rashford missed England's two Euro 2024 qualifiers during the international window, but he is expected to be fit to feature against Newcastle United on Sunday.

  • Bayern Munich always favourites against Borussia Dortmund, claims Goretzka Bayern Munich always favourites against Borussia Dortmund, claims Goretzka

    Bayern Munich will always be favourites to beat Borussia Dortmund, with Leon Goretzka suggesting no team can face Die Roten at Allianz Arena and have the upper hand.

    The two teams meet in their first game back from the international break in what could be the most decisive encounter of the Bundesliga title race this season.

    Dortmund hold a one-point lead over their rivals, who dismissed coach Julian Nagelsmann and replaced him with former Black and Yellow boss Thomas Tuchel last week.

    Speaking ahead of the crunch clash though, Goretzka insisted the visitors' advantage in the league table means nothing when they go to Allianz Arena, given the hosts' pedigree.

    "We are ready," he told SportBILD. "We want the 11th championship in a row. To quote Kylian Mbappe, we are always favourites.

    "When we play at home, there isn't a team we don't go into the game against as favourites. I think [the pressure] is great.

    "I really enjoy these games. As a player, you don't want to be part of the team that can break this series [and miss out on another title win]."

    Nagelsmann's departure, despite guiding Bayern to the title last term and the Champions League quarter-finals this year, is a gamble for the Bavarian giants.

    But in Tuchel, they have a former Champions League-winning coach from his time at Chelsea, and Goretzka hopes he can help retain their Bundesliga crown.

    "We all know and appreciate his successes," he added. "[We] have great respect for his achievements and experience."

  • Luis Enrique keen on Premier League job but Spurs move unlikely Luis Enrique keen on Premier League job but Spurs move unlikely

    Former Spain and Barcelona coach Luis Enrique wants to work in England but has seemingly ruled out replacing Antonio Conte at Tottenham.

    Luis Enrique parted ways with Spain after the 2022 World Cup, which saw La Roja knocked out by Morocco at the last-16 stage.

    He was replaced by Luis de la Fuente, who stepped up from the Under-21s, leaving Luis Enrique back on the market.

    Links to high-profile jobs have been frequent ever since, but the club he appears to have been associated with the most is Spurs, who dismissed Conte on Sunday after a week of intense speculation suggesting his time was over.

    While Luis Enrique was not directly asked about Spurs during his first major interview of the year, he did express a desire to work in the Premier League.

    But the fact he does not expect to be working in England even as early as July suggests the Spurs job would be a non-starter.

    "I would like to go to England to work," he told Radio SER Gijon.

    "But I don't see myself in the Premier League in July because I would like to go to a team there that can do important things, and that is very difficult.

    "I would not go to [just] any Premier League team."

    The 52-year-old has also been among the big names linked with the Brazil job, which Tite vacated following the Selecao's unsuccessful Qatar 2022 campaign.

    Luis Enrique confirmed he has received offers from national teams – Brazil not being one of them – but he seems less interested in returning to the international stage.

    "I don't see myself coaching Brazil," he continued. "Another coach profile fits in there better than mine.

    "They haven't called me. I don't know if my style fits the best with Brazil.

    "I have had offers from national teams, but not from clubs. It would have to be a very important [national] team to take it, although it would be very difficult for me to face Spain. I don't know if I would be ready."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.