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West Ham to make big money deadline day move for Benfica striker

By Alex Smith

LISBON, PORTUGAL - DECEMBER 19: Darwin Nunez of SL Benfica celebrates scoring SL Benfica's goal during the Liga Portugal Bwin match between SL Benfica and CS Maritimo at Estadio da Luz on December 19, 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL - DECEMBER 19: Darwin Nunez of SL Benfica celebrates scoring SL Benfica's goal during the Liga Portugal Bwin match between SL Benfica and CS Maritimo at Estadio da Luz on December 19, 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /
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West Ham could make a big money deadline day move worth £50 million for Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez.

The 22-year-old has scored 20 goals for Benfica this season and has attracted attention from some of Europe’s top clubs.

With time running out for David Moyes to find a striker after seeing multiple moves for other centre-forwards rejected, West Ham are making their way down the list and Nunez is now the main target.

West Ham are set to make a last minute attempt to bring in Benfica striker Darwin Nunez for a rumoured fee of £50 million.

LISBON, PORTUGAL – SEPTEMBER 29: Darwin Nunez of Benfica celebrates 3-0 with Gilberto of Benfica during the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica v FC Barcelona at the Estadio da Luz on September 29, 2021 in Lisbon Portugal (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL – SEPTEMBER 29: Darwin Nunez of Benfica celebrates 3-0 with Gilberto of Benfica during the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica v FC Barcelona at the Estadio da Luz on September 29, 2021 in Lisbon Portugal (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

With Michail Antonio’s recent inconsistency, Hammers fans having been crying out for a striker all month and not signing someone could prove a costly mistake.

However, Moyes doesn’t just want to sign extra players to make up the numbers. He is only interested in players that will improve the team and it seems it’s either Nunez or nobody (at the moment, remember on deadline day things can change rapidly).

Doing a deal at this late stage could prove extremely challenging due to the fact that Nunez is currently away on international duty with Uruguay. West Ham will need to fly a medical team and representatives out to South America in order for a deal to be completed before the 11pm. Then there’s the question of are Benfica even willing to sell him?

The Hammers have done something similar before when signing Nikola Vlasic when he was on international duty.

The 6ft 2in striker is described as having an “athletic frame, excellent acceleration and sprinting speed, with his explosive change of pace. He also has good awareness, a dynamic range of mobility that can carry counter-attacks, make incisive movements around the box, and strike the ball explosively. Nunez is also a promising creator around the box and is also capable of playing as a winger.”

Sky Sports are reporting a fee has been agreed between West Ham and Benfica but according to reliable source @ExWHUemployee a bid is in but him signing is unlikely. To some fans the Nunez move is just an excuse to say ‘look we tried to sign someone’.

But anything can happen on deadline day. West Ham are also after centre-back Duje Caleta-Car.

Next. West Ham to reward five players with new contracts. dark

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