PSG attempt hijack of Darwin Nuñez from Manchester United

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By Martin Graham | 13th May 2022

Reports from France have claimed that Paris Saint-Germain has approached Benfica with a big money bid for their striker Darwin Nuñez, who Manchester United have been courting for a while now.

The 22-year-old Uruguay international came to prominence this season after initially struggling in his first season at Benfica and has attracted interest from all across Europe.

Of all the clubs interested in his services, Manchester United was the club with the biggest prospect of signing him in the summer, even though Benfica are unwilling to let him go just yet.

However, PSG have submitted a £102 million bid for the striker to disrupt Manchester United‘s plans. The Red Devils were reported to be bidding between £60-70 million and PSG’s offer has nearly doubled their offer to Benfica.

Nuñez is under contract at Benfica until 2025 and has a release clause of £128 million. Both PSG’s and Man United’s bids are below the release club but the Parisiens have submitted the highest bid so far of all bids received by the Portuguese Primera Liga side for their 34-goal striker.

PSG’s interest is described as ‘beyond doubt’ because they are preparing to lose Kylian Mbappe despite their efforts to keep the 23-year-old World Cup winner. The ten-time French Ligue 1 champions are also preparing to lose Mauro Icardi in the summer which means that they will be short of forward options.

Donnarumma reflects on first PSG season

Elsewhere, Italian shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma has reflected upon his debut season with Paris Saint-Germain where he just won his first league title a year after winning the Euro 2020 title with Italy.

The 23-year-old has gone from being the undisputed starter at AC Milan to being in rotation with Keylor Navas at PSG, and has struggled to come to terms with it. He, however, laims he wants to stay at PSG and also announced his goal to become the club’s undisputed number 1, throwing an open challenge to the veteran Costa Rican.

Speaking to AFP, Donnarumma said of his time at PSG: “I want to stay at PSG. I am happy with my first trophy in the Paris Saint-Germain shirt. I am very proud to belong to this club, which is very ambitious and always aiming higher.

“When I arrived, I didn’t feel the pressure from the European Championships, although it wasn’t easy to settle in.

“It has not been an easy season, I know I can do more, I played half of the matches and I could not give my best, but I am convinced I can give much more to this team and this club.

“No, I don’t think it will be like that [rotating with Navas next season]. The club will make choices. I have a great relationship with Keylor, we are two good guys, we understand the situation, but it was difficult for him too.

“Let’s say we made it, with the help of the whole group and with the understanding between us.”