West Ham are looking into a late deal for Benfica striker Darwin Nunez after a push to sign Flamengo’s Gabigol failed, 90min understands.

Nunez has been in terrific form in Portugal during 2021/22, scoring 20 goals in 25 games across all competitions, including 15 in 16 in Premeira Liga games.

David Moyes is desperate to reinforce his squad before Monday’s transfer deadline, and one of the priorities is bringing in a striker to provide competition for the club’s only recognised senior option, Michail Antonio.

West Ham have seen big money approaches for Leeds duo Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips turned down in the past 48 hours, but their attention has moved swiftly on to 22-year-old Nunez.

Sources have confirmed to 90min that the Hammers are looking into a permanent deal and the player himself is interested in moving to the London Stadium, even though Benfica are through to the knockout stages of the Champions League. West Ham can offer European football of their own, albeit in the Europa League, after topping a group involving Dinamo Zagreb, Rapid Wien and Genk.

A deal isn’t close to being completed at this stage, with intermediaries who set the move up now seeing matters complicated by other agents – which threatens what could be a club record deal for the Hammers.

More to follow…