Real Madrid are preparing for life after Karim Benzema and Darwin Nunez is one of the players they’ve lined up to replace him.
According to Defensa Central, the Liverpool striker is one of four options the Spanish champions are considering to boost their goal threat.
Benzema is currently recovering from a thigh injury that ruled him out of the World Cup and is set to turn 35 later this month.
Although he has been in the best form of his career over the last couple of years, culminating in his first Ballon d’Or, he can’t maintain these levels indefinitely so Real would be wise to plan for the future.
Without Benzema, they lack a true centre-forward, choosing to play Rodrygo or Marco Asensio as a false nine instead.
This uncertainty has prompted the club to explore their options, with four potential targets identified, including Nunez.
The Uruguayan international only joined Liverpool from Benfica for a £64million fee in June but has already become a fan favourite at the club.
Volatile and unpredictable, he instinctively makes things happen on the pitch, often for better but sometimes for worse too.
Nunez has scored nine goals in 18 games for Liverpool but also been responsible for some glaring misses and a damaging red card for headbutting Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen.
He is currently at the World Cup with his country and they need to beat Ghana in their final group game to progress to the round of 16.
The three other names on Real’s shortlist are also competing at the tournament – Brazil duo Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison, and the Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo.
Although often played off the left flank rather than through the middle, Gakpo has been a star performer for the Dutch, scoring three goals in the group stage.
