---
title: "West Ham United: Benfica reject Irons bid for Darwin Nunez"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-benfica-reject-irons-bid-for-darwin-nunez/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2022-01-31T14:10:51Z"
modified: "2022-01-31T14:10:51Z"
---

# West Ham United: Benfica reject Irons bid for Darwin Nunez

**According to a breaking news report by [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11065/12476234/transfer-centre-live-no-new-pogba-contract-offer-since-last-summer?postid=3291956#liveblog-body), Benfica have rejected West Ham’s bid for striker Darwin Nunez.**

### The Lowdown: Desperate for a striker

Michail Antonio is the only recognised senior centre-forward at David Moyes’ disposal, and as a result, he is the club’s top scorer in the Premier League this season, having netted [eight](https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/25/West-Ham-United/stats) times.

Despite this, the Jamaica international has looked tired at points throughout the campaign, sometimes lacking that clinical edge in front of goal. With a [lengthy injury history](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michail-antonio/verletzungen/spieler/104124), calls have been made for the club to bring in another striker to bolster their options in the attacking third.

[West Ham latest news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news-copy/)

### The Latest: Benfica reject West Ham’s Nunez bid

According to a breaking news report on [Sky Sports’s Transfer Centre](https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11065/12476234/transfer-centre-live-no-new-pogba-contract-offer-since-last-summer?postid=3291956#liveblog-body), Benfica have rejected an Irons bid for Nunez.

The Hammers are considering an improved offer, but a deal looks increasingly difficult with the little time left before the transfer window closes at 11pm, per a further report from [Sky](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12512674/darwin-nunez-west-ham-hoping-to-complete-move-for-benfica-striker).

This issue is exacerbated by the logistical difficulties, as the 22-year-old is currently in South America with the Uruguay squad for their World Cup qualifier against Venezuela on Tuesday.

### The Verdict: Get it done!

The 22-year-old has scored [20 goals in 25 appearances](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12512674/darwin-nunez-west-ham-hoping-to-complete-move-for-benfica-striker) for Benfica this season, which has alerted plenty of clubs to his undeniable attacking threat, with many [monitoring](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1548534/newcastle-united-darwin-nunez-transfer-news-benfica-contract-SNT) his situation at the Portuguese club.

His former Benfica manager, [Jorge Jesus](https://www.archysport.com/2020/10/this-boy-will-be-the-best-in-the-world-and-i-will-lose-him-in-no-time/), has claimed that he ‘will be the best in the world’ even claiming the youngster would be ‘the most expensive player to leave Benfica’ – the Primeira Liga club have a reputation for [selling top talents for big fees](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/benfica-lissabon/rekordabgaenge/verein/294), with Joao Felix bringing the current largest sum at £114m.

West Ham should do everything they can to secure Nunez’s services on deadline day as it will only become ever-more difficult to sign him. At just 22 years old, he could prove to be a top-level attacker for the next decade, and it’s not hard to imagine richer clubs pushing their way in this summer going by Jesus’ praise.

***In other news: [West Ham United: Phillips bid officially rejected](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-transfer-rumours/west-ham-united-phillips-bid-officially-rejected/)***