It’s been a while since Newcastle United emerged as one of the contenders for the signing of Darwin Nunez, who’s been standing out for Benfica this season.
The Magpies were not only claimed to be trying to sign the striker in January, but also seem to have him as a summer target, as they continue to be pointed out as a potential destination for the 22-year-old.
Newspaper Record today features a big piece on the player, claiming he shall only leave the Eagles on a €80m fee, where they also explain the situation between Newcastle and Darwin.
It’s said the Magpies have been following the Uruguayan for a long time, and in January, they could not reach the €60m which Benfica had been demanding for his departure at the time.
Back in those talks, Benfica director Rui Costa told Newcastle the player could be worth €80m in the summer, and that’s exactly what is happening now.
The striker has already scored 26 times this season, including this week’s winner against Ajax which took the Eagles to the Champions League’s quarter-finals.
The problem for Newcastle is that the Magpies are one of the clubs who Darwin ‘wrinkled up his nose to’ in January. The player is said to be waiting for a bigger move, as the likes of Atletico Madrid and Manchester City are in for him as well.
So besides raising their offer, Eddie Howe’s side also would need to use convincing arguments to land the striker.
Now that they are in a better situation than in January, when they were fighting against relegation, perhaps that’s a better scenario to approach him again.
