Darwin Nunez set Europe alight in 2021/22, scoring 34 goals in 41 appearances as his current employers Benfica reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and a third-placed finish in the Portuguese top-flight.
His exploits in the last year have shot him to prominence, leading the 22-year-old to become one of the most coveted players in Europe. Manchester United have recorded serious interest in Nunez this window, though it looks as if the Uruguayan could be on his way to Anfield as Liverpool look to revamp their forward line.
Nunez is said to be Jurgen Klopp's number one transfer target this summer, as the German coach seeks to replace the outgoing Sadio Mane, who has signalled his desire to move on to pastures new after six seasons at the club.
The Sporting News has a look at what all the fuss is about, his pathway to stardom on the European stage as well as casting an eye towards what the future could hold for Nunez in the coming month
When did Darwin Nunez join Benfica?
It's fair to say that Nunez, who displayed his talents at the business end of the Champions League last season, did not take a conventional route to such a stage.
After coming through the ranks in his homeland with Penarol, he joined Spanish second-tier side Almeria on a five-year deal in 2018 — a move that netted his boyhood club £3.4 million.
Nunez was swiftly into his work in Spain and a 16-goal season was enough to persuade Benfica to splash out £20m on the youngster.
O momento decisivo em Amesterdão... ⚽️🙂💪🔴 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙬𝙞𝙣 𝙉úñ𝙚𝙯 🇺🇾@Darwinn99 | @SLBenfica | #UCLvideo | #UCL pic.twitter.com/vCPJABQ097— UEFA.com em português (@UEFAcom_pt) March 19, 2022
On the face of it, 11 goals from 24 starts and 36 appearances overall in 2020/21 was nothing to get overly excited about, but eye-catching flashes of pace, strength, intelligent link play and keen striking instincts were enough to keep the Nunez hype-train motoring.
In January 2021, The Telegraph reported Manchester City had earmarked Nunez as a potential successor to Sergio Aguero, while an illustrious compatriot had already mapped out a different career path. Now, it seems he could be heading to one of their main rivals to front up their new-look attack.
Is Darwin Nunez the next Luis Suarez?
Liverpool fans know all about Uruguay’s impressive heritage when it comes to producing elite strikers, having enjoyed Luis Suarez’s action-packed tenure at the club.
Suarez went on to excel at Barcelona and was keen for Nunez to do likewise, having been impressed by his efforts at Almeria.