Arsenal have made contact over the signing of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, who appears to be edging towards the top of their summer shortlist.

Earlier this week, we covered a report from Ryan Taylor of the Daily Express claiming Arsenal had six strikers on their summer transfer shortlist.

Taylor now writes that he senses Nunez has worked his way towards the top of the list.

Portuguese outlet Record report that Edu Gaspar has already made first contact over Nunez, and Arsenal are undertaking a charm offensive to convince the striker to join.

Benfica have already turned down January offers from Newcastle United and West Ham United, and Arsenal are believed to be in the lead ahead of those two.

The Portuguese club are hoping to raise as much as €80m from Nunez’s summer sale.

Nunez has scored 26 goals in 33 games this season, including the winner in their Champions League last-16 victory over Ajax 10 days ago. At 22 years old, there could be a lot more to come from him.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gone, and Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette likely to follow him in the summer, Arsenal are going to be in the market for a major centre-forward signing. Perhaps Nunez could prove the player for the job.