Nunez has reportedly decided that he 100% will move to the Premier League this summer. And that appears to be all the encouragement United need with a big bid for his services now planned.

To that end, Portuguese newspaper Correio de Manha claims United have made their first official move for the striker.

They report that United are offering Benfica a massive £64m up front with a further £17m made up in bonuses. That would take the total package to a huge £81m – a bid United believe Benfica would struggle to reject.

That kind of cash would significantly reduce United’s ability to strengthen the rest of their squad this summer. Funds are expected to be a little tighter at Old Trafford in the wake of their Champions League miss.

And while Ten Hag is likely to focus on quality over quantity, he is also still looking to sign a new midfielder too.

However, in an effort to reduce their outlay for Darwin Nunez, Correio de Manha claims Manchester United have offered Andreas Perreira as bait.

The Brazilian midfielder is not part of Ten Hag’s long-term plans. Indeed, Perreira has spent the last two seasons on loan with Flamengo. He was expected to make a permanent move to the Rio de Janiero club, only to see them back out of the deal.

United value Perreira at just £8.5m – and the report believes his signing will interest Benfica.

And should Nunez sign, he will become the latest big-name star to ditch Portugal for Old Trafford.