BENFICA star Darwin Nunez will only join a Champions League club this summer, according to a Premier League executive.
Manchester United have been heavily linked with the transfer of the 22-year-old Uruguayan due to their persistent issues up front this season.
Nunez has scored 31 goals already this season, including the goal which knocked Erik ten Hag’s Ajax out of the Champions League.
However, according to the i, a top Premier League source has declared Nunez will only join a side playing in that competition next season
They said: “In every metric he shapes up well. He’s good in the air, great decision maker, he’s mobile, tactically superb and embraces the fight. He’ll be going to a Champions League club.”
The Red Devils’ perilous Premier League position of 7th means their summer transfer plans could be severely hindered ahead of next season.
A major rebuild is said to be on the cards for whichever new manager takes over, with the most heavily linked candidate being Ten Hag.
Nunez himself has been tipped for a move away from The Eagles, with a staggering £68m being the price quoted to land him.
West Ham United have already come close to signing the forward, submitting a bid on January deadline day before the deal collapsed.
Manchester United have too often lacked a cutting edge under Ralf Rangnick, leaving him with a win rate of just 47 per cent – the worst of any United manager in the Premier League era.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to gel with the way United want to play, causing them to look at other options who are more able to press from the front.
Tottenham star Harry Kane is another striker who United have been linked with this summer.