Manchester United’s chances of signing Darwin Nunez could hinge on next eight weeks

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Manchester United’s hopes of signing Benfica striker Darwin Nunez could evaporate if the Reds fail to secure Champions League qualification.

The Telegraph report that the Red Devils and other Premier League clubs may struggle to sign the Uruguayan hotshot if Champions League football isn’t assured.

The 22-year-old is one of the most coveted players in European football and with 26 goals to his name this season, it looks like his time in Portugal is going to come to an end this summer.

The Telegraph state that Atletico Madrid, who knocked Ralf Rangnick’s side out of the Champions League. are Nunez’s ‘most likely scenario’.

It is claimed that the Portuguese giants want at least £60million for the eight-time Uruguayan international, who was signed for a club-record £20m from Almeria in 2020.

Nunez has four goals to his name in this season’s Champions League with his most recent being a winner against Erik ten Hag’s Ajax to set up a quarter-final clash against Liverpool.

He also scored a brace against Barcelona and netted a consolation goal in the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich. He’s already shown his pedigree of scoring on the biggest stage and it’s little wonder that United are keen to bring him to Old Trafford.

It makes even more sense considering Nunez’s veteran compatriot Edinson Cavani, who cannot say fit, will leave as a free agent in the summer.

But in order for United to be considered a viable option for Nunez, things are going to have to dramatically change over the next eight weeks.

With nine Premier League games remaining, Rangnick’s men currently sit four points behind fourth-placed Arsenal despite playing one game more.

Following a disappointing season its hard to envisage Manchester United finding the consistency required to pip the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham to fourth place.

United have only won Premier League three games in a row on two occasions this season and if we hope to lure Darwin Nunez to the Theatre of Dreams this summer, a huge upturn in form is required otherwise we look set to miss out on the South American star.