Newcastle United are reportedly now in the mix with some of the giants of the UEFA Champions League to sign Darwin Nunez.

The Lowdown: Potential is there

Nunez is a player with a lot of potential at 22 years of age, and his agent Edgardo Lasalvia believes that he is 'destined for great things'.

Lasalvia also claims that he has 'a lot of things in common' with Manchester United striker and fellow Uruguay international Edinson Cavani, a man who has scored an abundance of goals wherever he has been.

Nunez has eight goals and two assists in 13 games in total over all competitions so far this season for Benfica, including three in four in the Champions League (Transfermarkt), promising to become one of the best forwards in Europe if that UCL record is anything to go by.

The Latest: In the mix

As per Record (via Sport Witness), the St. James' Park faithful are now 'tightening the siege' for Nunez, and are among a number of top Champions League clubs in the race for his signature.

AC Milan, Inter, Juventus, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona are also named a potential destinations for him, but he would only be allowed to leave at the end of the season, unless a club pays his astronomical release clause in January.

That currently stands at a whopping €150m (£125.9m), and would have to be paid in full if he is to leave in the winter transfer window, so it's safe to assume this is one for the summer watchlist.

The Verdict: Wait and see

With the predicament that they find themselves in, the North East club may want to wait until the summer before they assess whether they should make a move for Nunez.

If they avoid relegation from the Premier League down to the Championship, then a move should be plausible, providing that they can get him for a reasonable price, and not that mega big release clause.

With his goalscoring record and bustling style of play, Nunez would frustrate and hassle defenders in the top flight, demonstrated when Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney fumed at him in a UEFA Europa League game last season after going down under his challenge.

Nonetheless, the Tyneside outfit need to hope that one of the huge clubs in the chase do not end up paying his clause in January, so that he is still available in the summer.

In other news, find out which £175,000-per-week 'champion' has been 'offered' to NUFC here!