Reports | Atletico Madrid leading race to sign Benfica striker Darwin Nunez

Despite struggling to produce the numbers in his first season at Benfica, many were shocked when Darwin Nunez started the 2021/22 season superbly. The forward had already matched his goal-tally for the entire 2020/21 season two months into the season and has only gone from strength to strength from there. He has now scored 33 goals in 35 appearances, a tally that includes 25 goals in as many league appearances and six goals in 10 Champions League games.

That combined with the forward’s potential and the fact that he is only 22, has seen some of Europe’s best keep an eye on proceedings. However, Nunez has a contract until 2025 at Benfica and reports have indicated that the club are looking for around €80 million to part with him next summer. But that hasn’t stopped Atletico Madrid as Sport has reported that the Los Rojiblancos are the frontrunners for Nunez’s signature next summer.

The Spanish outfit are searching for a striker to replace the outgoing Luis Suarez, whose contract expires at the end of this season and reports have indicated that they believe Nunez is their man. The forward is open to playing in Spain again, after a spell with UD Almeria, and believes that Atletico Madrid would suit him. Not only that, Sport has reported that Diego Simeone’s side are the frontrunners regardless of whether they play Champions League football next season or not.