Benfica should look within league for Darwin replacement

Benfica are all but certain to sell the rights to striker Darwin Nunez this summer during the transfer window and with the Uruguayan's strong season that has seen him score 26 goals across all competitions in 33 games, Benfica are set to receive an almost record haul for the 22 year old who only joined the club in the summer of 2020.

With Benfica set to receive a minimum €70M for Nunez at this time, the club could receive an even higher fee if Nunez continues his fine form until season end. Benfica will provide 20% of any sale price to Almeria as the Spanish side made sure to include this clause in the sale when the Lisbon side acquired Nunez.

Benfica could also see the departure of Swiss striker Haris Seferovic this summer leaving the club with youngster Goncalo Ramos, Roman Yaremchuk and often injured Rodrigo Pinho as their only options. With a new manager looking set to take over at the club next season the club may need to add a striker or two depending on his formation.

Benfica President Rui Costa has stated he will be looking at cost certainty next season and that the clubs main reinforcements look to be coming from within the league and if that is indeed the case then there are a couple of strikers who come to mind that Benfica could target.

The two strikers the club could look to add this off season are:

Vitinha (Braga) - The 22 year old has been a regular with Braga this season since October and has chipped in 12 goals across all competitions with 5 coming in league play, 6 in the Taca de Portugal and 1 in Europa League play in 30 games of action. Vitinha would more then likely cost Benfica between €12M to €20M to land.

Fran Navarro (Gil Vicente) - The 24 year currently sits fifth in league scoring with 13 goals and has scored 34% of Gil Vicente's goals in league action this season. Navarro is in his first season in Portugal after joining the Barcelos club on a free transfer after playing with Valencia's B squad the season prior and could cost Benfica between €5M to €8M to land.

Benfica linked to non Portuguese manager

Benfica continue their hunt for a permanent manager next season to take over at the club and according to reports from German site Kicker and Portuguese daily Record, the club have been in talks with current outgoing PSV manager Roger Schmidt who's contract is set to expire at the conclusion of the season.

The 55 year old German is said to have had several secret meetings with the clubs management in recent weeks and a deal is close to being struck. Schmidt has spent the past two seasons at PSV and has also managed German side Bayer Leverkusen, Chinese club Beijing Guoan and Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in his career.

Almeria follow Darwin Nunez situation with interest

Spanish side Almeria are closely monitoring the Darwin Nunez sweepstakes as the La Liga 2 club are expected to receive a windfall of cash when Benfica sell their striker during this summer's transfer window with a host of Europe's biggest clubs all linked to the 22 year old Uruguayan sensation. 

Benfica President Rui Costa has set a non negotiable price tag of €80M to acquire the players services and Almeria would be entitled to 20% of that sale price, an add on clause that they included when Benfica acquired Nunez in the summer of 2020. Nunez has been on a tear this season scoring 26 goals across all competitions and is currently the leading scorer in the Portuguese League with 20 goals.

Nunez's name has been mentioned with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, West Ham and Newcastle already and more clubs are certain to add their names to the growing list of suitors. Nunez recently changed agents in anticipation for a move this summer and it is said that his preference is one of the Manchester clubs.