Benfica hotshot shortlisted by Manchester City this summer
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola desperately wants to recruit a striker in the summer transfer window to replace Sergio Aguero, whose departure to Barcelona has left behind a huge void in the squad.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has been linked with Manchester City throughout the summer. Kane, 27, is seemingly Pep Guardiola’s primary target to succeed Aguero at the Etihad Stadium.
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The English champions have already seen a £100m bid for the England international rejected by Spurs, with chairman Daniel Levy closer to £150m for his star striker.
Landing Kane looks unlikely at this moment of time, even though Manchester City remain determined in getting their summer’s top target.
According to reports from The Athletic, Manchester City could turn their attention to Benfica striker Darwin Nunez as they bid to sign a new striker during the summer transfer window.
Darwin Nunez, 22, joined Benfica in a club-record £20.5million deal from Spanish club Almeria last summer. After scoring 16 goals in 32 games for Almeria in the Spanish Segunda Division, he bagged just six goals in 29 league outings for Benfica. However, the striker did give a glimpse of his creative side by contributing with 10 assists.
A debut season in Liga NOS that was satisfactory, but unspectacular, Nunez is attracting interest from City. In fact, he is on Guardiola’s shortlist of potential strikers that the Mancunian club could sign if they fail in their pursuit of Kane, The Athletic claims.
With Gabriel Jesus on the radar of Juventus, Guardiola could potentially start the new season with a recognised striker if he sanctions the Brazilian international’s sale. Jesus hasn’t proven himself enough to lead the line for the club that should be challenging for major honours every single season.
Next. Manchester City ready to complete the signing of Jack Grealish. dark
If the Brazilian centre-forward leaves, which appears likely, the Cityzens must recruit Darwin Nunez to replace him. Nunez is a rough diamond that would need shaping before he becomes ready to lead the Sky Blues’ attack regularly.
So, even if the four-cap Uruguayan international is signed this summer, Guardiola and co. would need a much more experienced, prolific goalscorer to start up top next season.