Diego Forlan says striker linked with Manchester City has a ‘big future’

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Reported Manchester City target Darwin Nunez has a “big future”, according to compatriot Diego Forlan.

The Citizens were linked with the 21-year-old Benfica striker prior to the January transfer window, FourFourTwo reporting that he was on Pep Guardiola’s radar.

Arsenal, Barcelona and Inter Milan were also said to be eyeing the Uruguayan, who joined the Portuguese giants last September in a £20.6million deal from Spain’s Almeria.

Nunez hit the ground running at his new club, claiming five assists and one goal in his first five league matches, plus a hat-trick in the Europa League Group D opener against Lech Poznan.

To date, the 6ft 2in ace has 12 goals and nine assists in 34 appearances for Benfica.

And Forlan is confident that, if Nunez can continue to progress in Portugal, it won’t be long before he is following in the footsteps of the likes of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.

“He is a young player and has a big future,” the former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid star told Record.

“He is at a great European club in Benfica. Obviously, if he continues with to produce these numbers and these performances, he can make the leap to a great club, in another league.

“Darwin is a player who has been playing for the national team recently. He scored goals and has played well when he is called by Mister (Oscar) Tabarez.”

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With Sergio Aguero’s Etihad future uncertain, there’s certainly scope to recruit a new striker in the summer.

Nunez, a tall and powerful No. 9 with great pace and an eye for goal, has done well in his maiden season at Benfica, and he’s got a lot more potential too.

Indeed, Jorge Jesus believes the 21-year-old “will be a world-class player” in years to come – definitely a great shout for Man City.