Manchester United are ‘looking into’ the possibility of signing Benfica striker Darwin Nunez ahead of next season, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 22-year-old is set to be one of the hottest properties during the summer transfer window following an exceptional 2021/22 campaign for the Eagles.

What is the latest news involving Nunez?

Nunez arrived at the Estádio da Luz back in September 2020 as an unknown quantity but has quickly established himself as one of the most promising young strikers on the continent.

In just 83 appearances for Benfica, the Uruguay international has registered 47 goals and 16 assists, firing his side to the Champions League quarter-finals in the current campaign.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, there are ‘three front-runners’ in the race for Nunez’s signature, with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain joining United in the hunt.

Ornstein’s report states that the Portuguese giants have accepted that their prized asset will depart when the market reopens and that they have placed a €70 million (£58.2m) price tag on the prolific forward.

However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Nunez’s potential suitors will actually have to fork out €80m (£66.6m) to secure his services.

It’s believed that the Red Devils’ hierarchy have ‘already discussed his name internally’, though, while Spanish outlet AS claim incoming manager Erik ten Hag is ‘in love’ with the South American and has personally requested his signing.

What has Jones said about Nunez?

Nunez is not going to be short of options over the summer, but Jones has disclosed that United are ‘100 per cent’ looking into him and are ‘taking his availability very seriously’.

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He told GiveMeSport: “Darwin Nunez is 100 per cent somebody that they are looking into right now.

“He’s very likely to land in the Premier League in the summer, and Manchester United are taking his availability very seriously. And they think that he might be just the guy that they need for next season.”

What is United’s current striker situation?

Edinson Cavani is expected to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer following the conclusion of the current campaign, while Mason Greenwood is unavailable due to an ongoing police investigation.

And with doubt lingering over the futures of Anthony Martial, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford, a new forward is likely to be high up on Ten Hag’s wish list.

United have relied too heavily on an ageing Ronaldo for goals this season, and the arrival of Nunez could prove to be crucial in their development under their new manager