Arsenal are a ‘few steps above’ rivals as they ‘seduce’ £67m striker

Arsenal are ahead of their rivals in the race to secure Benfica striker Darwin Nunez this summer, according to reports in Portugal.

It was reported at the beginning of this month that Newcastle United and Man Utd are interested in Nunez, who attracted a big bid from Premier League side West Ham in the January transfer window.

Nunez has scored 40 goals in 77 matches for Benfica, since joining the Portuguese club from Spanish side Almeria in 2020, with 26 of those goals coming in 33 appearances this campaign.

The Uruguay international was linked with Arsenal earlier this month before a report yesterday claimed that he was one of six names on a striker shortlist at the Emirates Stadium.

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Alexander Isak, Jonathan David, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Victor Osimhen and Armando Broja were the other five names on the list, while it was claimed that talks had ‘already taken place’ with Nunez.

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And now Portuguese newspaper Record (via Sport Witness) claims that Arsenal have launched a ‘charm offensive’ to try and persuade Nunez that a move to the Emirates would be the right step for his career.

Arsenal are understood to be ‘a few steps above’ West Ham and Newcastle with Mikel Arteta’s side looking increasingly likely to secure