Arsenal fall behind Manchester United and Chelsea in race to sign prolific striker

Liverpool host Benfica on Wednesday with one foot firmly in the Champions League semi-finals, having beaten the Portuguese side 3-1 last week. 

Jurgen Klopp’s side cruised to a comfortable first leg victory, but will be wary of avoiding any upsets when they host the return leg on Wednesday.

Benfica’s main threat is undoubtedly striker Darwin Nunez, who showed just how dangerous he is by scoring against the Reds a week ago.

The 22-year-old has been in sensational form for his club this season, scoring 24 goals in 24 league matches, and three Premier League sides are now chasing him.

According to The Athletic, both Chelsea and Manchester United are chasing the player and, while Arsenal are also keen on signing him, they have fallen behind their two Premier League rivals in the pecking order.

Nunez has averaged a goal-per-game in the Premeira Liga this season

The report suggests that both Chelsea and United are joined by French giants Paris Saint-Germain as the frontrunners for the Uruguayan’s signature, with the Gunners considered to have an outside chance of securing his signing.

Nunez, who has made eight appearances for his international side, has been heavily linked with a number of clubs across Europe, and his current side are reportedly willing to let him for just shy of £60 million.

West Ham were tipped to sign the player in January, however a move never materialised and it seems that the Hammers are no longer in the running.

Chelsea may have to replace Romelu Lukaku in attack, if the Belgian does cut short his second stint with the club and leave this summer.

United, meanwhile, may lose Cristiano Ronaldo, who is reportedly unhappy at the club and could look to leave at the end of the season, while Arsenal failed to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January.