According to journalist Pete O’Rourke (as per GIVEMESPORT), West Ham will only be able to sign Benfica’s Darwin Nunez if they qualify for the Champions League this season.

The Lowdown: Nunez thriving for Benfica

Since arriving in Portugal in 2020 in a deal worth £21.6m, Nunez has emerged as one of Europe’s most prolific scorers, having netted 32 times in 65 appearances for the Lisbon club, including a phenomenal 13 goals in as many league games this season.

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This follows an emphatic performance against Barcelona in the Champions League during the autumn, with the 22-year-old scoring twice as Benfica dominated the Spanish outfit in a 3-0 victory.

The Latest: O'Rourke makes Nunez claim

The Hammers have recently been linked with a potential swoop for Nunez and are said to have joined the increasingly competitive race to sign the Uruguay striker. It has been reported that Benfica would require €120m (£101.6m) to let the player leave, which would surely price the Irons out of any realistic transfer.

However, O’Rourke believes that there could be a chance if the Hammers manage to secure qualification for Europe’s top club competition.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: “For West Ham to have any chance of signing someone of his quality, they probably need to be qualifying for next season’s Champions League if they are to try to sign him in the summer. But I think a January deal is a no go.”

The Verdict: Could be tough for West Ham to pull off

With his exceptional goalscoring record, Nunez would be an unbelievable signing for David Moyes’ side, having been labelled as "special" by Joao Goncalves, the sporting director of his former club Almeria.

Benfica boss Jorge Jesus has also hailed the 22-year-old, claiming that it is only a matter of time until he becomes ‘world-class’. He said: "All this decision-making ability, finishing and speed...He was Benfica's most expensive purchase, and when there is no pandemic, he will be the most expensive sale. He will be a world-class player."

West Ham are set to face tough competition in pursuit of Nunez’s signature, and with his price tag inevitably rising with each goalscoring performance, it seems increasingly unlikely that the east Londoners will come out on top in this transfer chase, particularly given how their ailing form in recent weeks has made a top-four finish a tough task.

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