ESPN report that Barcelona have intensified their interest in Benfica striker Darwin Núñez as they search for a replacement for the recently departed Luis Suárez.
Núñez was on their wishlist last summer before Suárez left Camp Nou for Atlético Madrid. Barça held talks about signing the forward and sending him on loan to Almería for the season, however those negotiations ended when Benfica landed the Uruguay international for a reported €24 million.
The Catalan club could make another move in January for Memphis Depay from Lyon. The former Manchester United forward is out of contract next summer, but Núñez is also considered as an option. The Blaugrana have been aware of the 21-year-old since his days playing for Uruguayan giants, Peñarol, and sources say scouts were impressed by how quickly he adapted to football in Spain after joining Almería in 2019 for €3.5 m. He scored 16 goals in 32 league games last season.
Sporting director Ramon Planes is working on deals for the January transfer window despite the financial problems currently facing the club, and any future incomings will need to be approved by the next president, who will be elected within the next 80 days.
