According to a report in the print edition of Record, via Sport Witness, West Ham United have now joined the race to sign Benfica star striker Darwin Nunez.

The Lowdown: Nunez wanted across Europe...

The 22-year-old is a wanted man across the continent amid his eye-catching performances for Benfica in the Primeira Liga and at Champions League level.

[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-developments-2/" title="West Ham developments" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]

Often linked with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United from the Premier League, he has also been attracting interest from Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and even Newcastle United (Sport Witness).

There are no shortage of suitors for the Uruguay sensation as he becomes the latest South American in an ever-growing line to now be linked with West Ham as well.

Indeed, the club's head of recruitment Rob Newman, who is said to have his eyes on two Brazilian strikers in Gabriel Barbosa and Arthur Cabral, is now also in the race to sign Nunez.

The Latest: West Ham join Nunez race...

As per Record (via Sport Witness), West Ham have been dragged into the battle for his signature alongside the plethora of other interested clubs.

Their apparent involvement is considered all the more shocking given that Nunez has a marquee release clause of €150m (£127.5m) if any club wish to sign him in January. As a result, the Irons would have to nearly triple their current transfer record to get a deal done.

The Verdict: Pinch of salt...

Given that other prolific strikers like Andrea Belotti, Barbosa and Cabral could be available for much less, we advise to take this claim with a pinch of salt.

West Ham don't have the means to invest that heavily in a star forward, as highlighted by new shareholder Daniel Kretinsky, who played down mega spending in the winter transfer window. However, it is reliably believed that Moyes will be backed to bring in a new striker and top centre-back, as well as the possibility of England international Jesse Lingard (The Evening Standard).

Nunez, who has been tipped to become 'the best in the world' by Benfica boss Jorge Jesus, is most likely out of West Ham's reach, unfortunately.

In other news: 'Abysmal', 'Most frustrating player' - Many West Ham fans slam 'invisible' ace who lost the ball 18x vs Brighton, find out more here.