Former Southampton target Darwin Nunez is set for a huge career as he has been identified as a mega money maker by his new manager. After recently signing for Benfica, Jorge Jesus has already tipped him to become the club's most expensive sale, beating Joao Felix who was sold for £113million to Atletico Madrid last summer (via BBC Sport).

Jesus waxed lyrical over Nunez in a recent interview with Sport TV (relayed via Goal), predicting that he "will be a world class player" in the future.

"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 said.

Southampton missed a trick by not signing Nunez

The Saints were linked to the 21-year-old over the summer in what turned out to be a huge transfer scuffle. According to Calciomercato, other interested parties included Napoli, Wolfsburg and Benfica, who eventually won the battle for Nunez's signature in September.

Southampton would have completed some serious business by signing the rising star, as he could have potentially become an upgrade on Che Adams and partnered up with the clinical Danny Ings in front of goal.

In seven appearances, Nunez has already racked up an astonishing four goals and five assists, including his hat-trick against Lech Poznan in the Europa League. For comparison, Adams has two goals and two assists in the same amount of matches played (via Transfermarkt), and six in 42 in total for the south coast outfit.

Whilst his numbers aren't anything to worry about at the moment, having someone to put pressure on him could bring out the best in Adams. Signing Nunez could have also paved the way for a new era at St Mary's, with world class attacking talent leading the line. Annoyingly for Hasenhuttl, if they want to revisit talks, it looks like they will have to pay upwards of £113million to bring him to the south coast.

In other news, Southampton should look to phase Nathan Redmond out following Everton display...