Darwin Nunez will eclipse Joao Felix €126m transfer as Benfica boss braces for exit

Benfica head coach Jorge Jesus believes Darwin Nunez will surpass Joao Felix as the club’s most expensive sale after hailing the hat-trick hero following his Europa League exploits.

Nunez opened his account for Benfica with a three-goal haul as the Portuguese powerhouse defeated Lech Poznan 4-2 in their Europa League opener on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Uruguay forward became Benfica’s most expensive signing when he arrived from Almeria in a €24million deal in September.

Jesus is already bracing for Nunez’s exit, tipping his transfer fee to surpass the club-record €126m Benfica received from Atletico Madrid for Joao Felix last year.

, ,  : @Darwinn99 !#LPOSLB #UEL #DarwinSZN pic.twitter.com/gfCAaBH7lT

— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) October 22, 2020

“We got it right. We must not forget that he is a kid, he is 21 years old, there is a lot about the game that he does not know yet. He will learn with me and Benfica,” Jesus told SportTV.

All this decision-making ability, finishing and speed… He was Benfica’s most expensive purchase, and when there is no pandemic, he will be the most expensive sale. He will be a world-class player.

“Unfortunately for me, maybe I will lose him in a short time.”

Benfica’s Nunez scored with all three shots on target away to Polish side Lech Poznan.

Nunez made it 2-1 for Benfica three minutes prior to half-time before netting his second of the match on the hour-mark as he completed his hat-trick in the third minute of stoppage time.

“Three goals? It means a lot to me,” Nunez told SIC. “When I don’t score, I try to help the team. I haven’t scored for five games, but I worked for the team.

“From the first moment the team gave me confidence. They think I deserved these goals. I am very happy.

“I thought I was going to score my first goal. I didn’t expect the three goals, but thankfully. Now it’s time to continue working with humility. It’s a difficult series now and we have to prepare ourselves in the best way.”