Barcelona ‘step up their interest in Darwin Nunez’ in bid to replace Luis Suarez after Benfica beat them to £21m signing of Uruguayan striker last summer
- Barcelona initially attempted to sign Benfica striker, Darwin Nunez, last year
- The club failed to sign Nunez and he joined the Portuguese side for around £22m
- Barcelona are going to try again despite Josep Bartomeu resigning last week
- The deal will have to be approved by the new president – who will be voted for
Barcelona have intensified their pursuit of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez as they look to replace Luis Suarez.
Nunez has been a long-term target for Barcelona. The Catalan giants tried to sign the 21-year-old last summer before Suarez left for Atletico Madrid, but failed to attain his signature following informal discussions.
According to ESPN, Barcelona are planning another potential swoop for the striker – despite the resignation of Josep Maria Bartomeu and his board of directors last week.
Barca have intensified their pursuit of long-term target and Benfica striker Darwin Nunez (top)
It is believed that Sporting director Ramon Planes will be in charge of deals within the transfer window and beyond.
However, such transfer will need to be approved by the new president – who will be elected within the next 80 days.
Barca are looking to replace Luis Suarez – who joined Atletico Madrid for £5.5million
A deal for Nunez will have to be approved by the new president after Josep Bartomeu resigned
Barca hope Nunez, who signed for Benfica for £21m, will be able to fill the void left by Suarez – Barcelona’s third-highest goalscorer of all time.
Nunez has had an impressive start to his career in Portugal, where he scored four goals and assisted five more in eight appearances.
Should the 21-year-old complete a move to Barcelona, he would link-up with some of the best strikers in the world – including Lionel Messi.
Barcelona are also said to be in the market for Manchester City defender Eric Garcia, who is out of contract next summer.
Barcelona are also interested in Eric Garcia in January after failing to sign him this summer
Garcia is seen as a ‘long-term replacement’ to Spain international team-mate Gerard Pique
Barca attempted to sign the 19-year-old in the summer as a long-term replacement for Gerard Pique, but failed to agree a fee with City.
However, the Catalans plan to renegotiate with the Sky Blues in the hope of reaching an agreement for the new president to sign off on.
Barca are hopeful an agreement can be reached as Garcia is out of contract at the end of the season – meaning City might be more inclined to lower their demands rather than let him leave on a free transfer next summer.
