Man Utd will move for Arsenal target Darwin Nunez if they secure Champions League football

Manchester United must finish in the top four if they want to secure the signing of exciting young striker Darwin Nunez.

The Telegraph claim that the 22-year-old is set to leave Portuguese side Benfica in the summer but will only move to a club playing Champions League football.

With an incredible 26 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions this season, Nunez has become one of the most highly sought-after players in the world and has already been linked with a move to the Premier League.

Newcastle United and West Ham United showed significant interest in January, while Brighton and Hove Albion tried and failed to buy the Uruguayan last summer.

As it stands, Atletico Madrid are now the favourites to sign Nunez who would cost at least £60 million but should Manchester United qualify for next season’s Champions League they might be able to persuade the striker to move to Old Trafford instead, where a shake up of the front-line is expected with Edinson Cavani set to leave and the futures of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford still unclear.

The Red Devils are currently sixth in the table, four points behind Arsenal, who have also been linked with Nunez, despite having played a game more.

The Gunners are also on the hunt for a new striker following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the uncertainty surrounding the expiring contracts of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, so a return to Champions League football would undoubtedly be helpful if Mikel Arteta does decide to pursue Nunez.

Whether either side will make the top four remains to be seen, with Tottenham Hotspur also still in that race, but if they do a deal for the striker it will have to made quickly with Benfica reportedly keen to sell their star