Arsenal and West Ham striker transfer target reveals bold decision ahead of summer window

Benfica star Darwin Nunez has enjoyed a fruitful season in front of goal gaining plenty of admirers, with the Gunners reportedly being one.
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Benfica striker Darwin Nunez has released a statement on social media confirming that the forward has changed his current agent.

Arsenal are said to be one of the teams interested in signing the player this coming summer as the north London outfit look for a successor to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

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And the 22-year-old forward posted on Twitter to say that: ‘”Quiero aclarar que no renovaré mi contrato con el que era mi representante Edgardo Lasalvia.”

This translates roughly as: “I want to clarify that I will not renew my contract with my representative Edgardo Lasalvia.”

He added that he had not received any threats to his family, in reply to media stories in Uruguay that he has increased his personal security over a dispute as to who will now be be his agent.

According to further reports, Nunez will now sign with an agency with close links to Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes.

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According to the Express, Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham have been told it will cost them a whopping £67million to complete a summer transfer deal for Nunez following consultation with Benfica.

And that Nunez has changed his representation only adds to the possibility that a big-money move away from the Estadio da Luz in the coming months.

Nunez, who scored Benfica’s only goal in their 3-1 Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday night, has found the back of the net 28 times in 35 appearances this season. That includes five goals in five Champions League starts, demonstrating his ability to shine at the highest level.

Nunez also scored five times in the Europa League last season, also from just five starts.

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The Gunners are in need of attacking reinforcements with the long-term futures of Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette in doubt, with both out of contract come the summer.

If Mikel Arteta does pursue Nunez, he may face competition from clubs in Spain as well as the Premier League.

West Ham reportedly had a £45m Euro bid turned down last January and interest in the forward is growing thanks to 21 goals in 19 starts in the Primeira Liga this year.

Benfica are third in the Portuguese top tier as things stand and are on course for qualifying for the Champions League qualifying rounds via their league position. The former Almeria player has two goals from his nine senior caps with Uruguay so far.

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