Benfica head coach Nelson Verissimo has revealed that star striker Darwin Nunez will be allowed to leave the club in this summer’s transfer window.
The 22-year-old has excelled for the Portuguese giants in front of goal this season, netting 31 times in 36 appearances across all competitions.
The Uruguay international’s impressive form is believed to have caught the eye of a number of top European clubs, including Premier League quintet Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Speaking to the press ahead of Benfica’s Champions League tie with Liverpool on Wednesday, Verissimo admitted that it will be difficult to keep hold of Nunez and he ‘accepts’ that the striker can seek pastures new this summer.
“It’s the law of the market. Obviously players like Darwin, and the best players, the idea would be to keep them all, but we are in a competitive market, in which clubs need capital for their daily management,” the Benfica boss told reporters on Tuesday.
“At the end of the season, if he has to go, we have to accept it. It’s the law of realising that there are stronger markets and because of that there are players that we cannot keep. Benfica is no exception to that.”
Nunez, who is under contract at the Estadio da Luz until June 2025, is believed to be valued at around £113m by Benfica.
