Transfer Target Profile: Darwin Núñez

Transfer Target Profile: Darwin Núñez

By Ben Willcocks

Promising 22-year-old striker Darwin Núñez has enjoyed a breakthrough year at Benfica this season, riveting the gaze of several European giants ahead of the summer transfer window.

Núñez fired Benfica into the Champions League quarter-finals last week with a match-winning header against Ajax, taking his tally to four goals in eight games in the competition.

His domestic record is even more impressive: 20 goals in 22 league matches has taken Núñez to the summit of the Primeira Liga scoring charts.

And with Mikel Arteta in the market for a new striker this summer following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure to Barcelona in January, Núñez could well prove a shrewd move, as Arsenal continue to recruit and develop young rising stars.

Here is everything you need to know about the Uruguayan.

Background

After progressing through Peñarol’s youth ranks, Núñez made his senior debut for the Uruguayan side in a 2-1 defeat to River Plate Montevideo.

However, the striker required surgery on his knee soon after and had to miss the remainder of the season but returned the following campaign to score his first professional goal in a 2-0 win over Fénix.

In 2019, Núñez agreed a five-year deal with La Liga 2 side UD Almería and enjoyed his most fruitful season in front of goal, scoring 16 goals as the league’s joint fourth top scorer.

Having showcased a lot of potential during his first season in Spain, Núñez broke several transfer records the following summer, as Benfica keenly pursued his signature.

The Portuguese giants paid a club-record fee of £21.6m to lure the Uruguayan away from UD Almería, producing the biggest sale in the history of the Spanish second division.

Despite wrestling with COVID-19 and several minor injuries in 2020/21, Núñez still managed to tally 14 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for Benfica, establishing a solid foundation to build upon the following season.

In May 2021, the 22-year-old went under the knife again because of a recurring knee injury and thus missed the opening few matches of the 2021/22 campaign.

But Núñez has scored 26 goals in all competitions since his return, netting two hat-tricks and six braces in total: his goal contributions have helped Benfica cement third spot in the league.

And crucially, he will play a pivotal role against Liverpool in the last eight of the Champions League in April.

How would Núñez improve Arsenal?

Although Arsenal have somewhat distanced themselves from the fourth-spot chasers in terms of points, their goal tally remains inferior.

Spurs, Manchester United and West Ham have each scored more than the 44 managed by the Gunners.

Look ahead in the table and Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have each scored more, bagging 68, 75 and 57 goals respectively.

To take the next step, Arsenal would benefit from a number nine capable of scoring 15 or more goals every season – and Núñez could well provide the answer.

Unlike traditional, bygone target men of the past, Núñez possesses an athletic skill set and is excellent at running in behind opposition defences and posing a threat on the counterattack.

Alexandre Lacazette has tended to play this season with his back to goal, keen to link up with the three attacking midfielders behind him, which has tended to profit the Gunners against weaker opposition who deploy a low block against them.

However, unlike Lacazette, Núñez would prefer to drop the shoulder and run into space behind the centre-halves, which could help Arsenal against high-line defences such as Manchester City and Liverpool.

What must Arsenal consider before approaching Núñez?

Arsenal must be wary of Núñez’s injury record despite his attractive skillset, as the striker has grappled with knee problems at both senior and youth levels.

Expected to leave Benfica for a fee of no less than £55m, the Uruguayan would need to keep fit to repay his price tag.

Moreover, whilst Núñez would undoubtedly bring more goals to the Arsenal attack, Arteta has found a formidable partnership between Lacazette and Martin Ødegaard.

They have developed into the creative nucleus of the team.

It’s no surprise to see Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli prosper in front of goal from the wings.

The central creative pair have prioritised targeting the flanks to open up opponents.

Introducing Núñez to the attack could disrupt the balance Arteta has endeavoured to find since arriving in North London, especially if a pass-first striker such as Lacazette is regularly dropped to the bench.

Verdict – A smart signing

As it stands, Arsenal look set to make a return to European football next season and will need to bolster the squad to manage the fixture increase.

With Eddie Nketiah struggling to convince as cover for Lacazette, adding another striker to the squad seems sensible, particularly one with a track record of scoring consistently throughout a season.

Signing Núñez would provide Arsenal with a different option, a striker capable of running in behind the opposition and hurting possession-dominant teams on the counterattack.

If Arsenal are not deferred by Núñez’s injury record, the Uruguayan could propel the Gunners beyond a top-four chasing club.

Photo Credit: Getty Images