West Ham step up chase for ‘special’ forward as club may sell for under half his release clause

According to a report from Portuguese newspaper A Bola (via Sport Witness), West Ham are among the clubs interested in signing Benfica striker Darwin Nunez. 

The 22-year-old has been attracting plenty of admirers and the Hammers even attempted to pull off a last-ditch move for Nunez in the January transfer window.

Since then the Uruguayan frontman has continued to flourish and recently scored the goal that earned Benfica a UEFA Champions League quarter-final meeting with Liverpool.

Now it would appear that a summer switch could be on the horizon for the man with a remarkable record of 20 goals in 22 league games this season.

As per the Portuguese source, translated by SW, West Ham ‘have followed’ the highly-rated Nunez ‘more insistently’ than the other potential suitors.

Those suitors are named as Premier League rivals Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

It’s also claimed that Serie A title-holders Inter are keen on the eight-cap ace, with Benfica likely to hold out for at least €60million (£50million) for the in-demand forward.

That fee is less than half of a reported eye-watering €150million (£126million) release clause written into the former Almeria star’s deal.

With a market value of £36million but under contract in Portugal until 2025 (Transfermarkt), paying the mooted asking price for Nunez would represent decent value for money if he fulfils his potential.

Albeit a record-breaking outlay for the east London club, signing the star who was recently hailed as ‘special’ and tipped to become ‘world class‘ by Norwegian journalist Jonas Adnan Giæver would be a major statement of intent.

Boasting an impressive return of 26 goals and two assists in 33 appearances across all competitions this season, the