Manchester United may have advantage over Liverpool FC in Darwin Nunez transfer chase

Manchester United might have a major advantage on Liverpool in their summer transfer pursuit for Darwin Nunez.

Speculation over the Benfica sensation continues to mount after he scored a staggering 34 goals in 41 outings for the Portuguese side last season. That return makes Nunez hot property across Europe this window and United are understood to have the 22-year-old on their radar.

Interest from the Premier League in Nunez not strictly reserved for United this summer. But while a much-anticipated race for his signature is expected to involve Liverpool and Saudi-backed Newcastle, United might well have one leg up on those clubs as well as other potential suitors.

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That's because Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes is set to broker Nunez's would-be switch.

Benfica are open to cashing-in on their prized asset this summer window, but only on the basis that their financial demands are met. Nunez, 22, has three years left to run on his contract having signed for the club from UD Almeria in September 2020.

It could take more than £60million to land his goal-scoring services in time for next season. However, if they enter talks over the eight-cap international, United might just be able to benefit from their positive working relationship with Mendes — who famously represents United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Nunez is represented by the Gestifute agency headed up by Mendes, alongside Ronaldo and countless Portuguese internationals such as Manchester City trio Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva. Mendes was involved in a deal which saw Ronaldo return to Old Trafford last summer.