Benfica striker Darwin Nunez ditches his agent just months before transfer window

In-demand Benfica striker Darwin Nunez has announced he is changing agent, just months before an expected fierce transfer tussle for his signature.

The 22-year-old has emerged on the radar of a host of top European clubs in the market for a striker this summer after a stunning breakthrough season in Portugal.

Nunez, who scored Benfica's goal in their 3-1 Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat by Liverpool on Tuesday night, has found the back of the net 28 times in 35 appearances this season.

That form has put him at the centre of a huge transfer tussle, with several clubs vying for his signature should he decide to leave the Portuguese capital this summer.

In a huge change to his camp behind the scenes, however, Nunez announced on Thursday evening that he was changing agent and leaving current representative Edgardo Lasalvia.

He tweeted: 'I want to clarify that I will not renew my contract with my representative Edgardo Lasalvia.

'I also want to clarify that neither my family nor I have received any threats and we are fine.'

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has since reported that Nunez will 'sign with a new representative close to Jorge Mendes'.

But it appears Lasalvia is not letting him go without a fight and Portuguese newspaper Record, reported by SPORT in Spain, does not 'accept that break'.

It's claimed that Lasalvia agreed a chunk of commission with Benfica for when Nunez leaves the club - with his former club Almeria also due 20 per cent of the profit they make on him.

Amid the tension, it's also reported that Nunez has bolstered his personal security and that around his family in Uruguay.

Super agent Mendes works with a number of football's leading talents - including Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix - so it is a bold move for Nunez and implies he wants a blockbuster move this summer.

Benfica are believed to be holding out for at least £60million for the striker - and the fee would represent a sizeable profit from the £20m they paid for him in 2020.

Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal have all been credited with an interest in Nunez as they look to add quality to their attacking ranks this summer.

However, a move to Spain has been touted as the most likely outcome. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are said to want to bring in Nunez, while other clubs may join the dogfight.

Also in England, Newcastle and West Ham both expressed interest in the player in January, and Brighton were unsuccessful in their bid last summer.

Manchester City are also thought to have monitored Nunez's situation closely, before the club set their sights on Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland.