A desperate Newcastle United are keeping tabs on Matheus Nunes ahead of what could be a pivotal January transfer window.
According to the Daily Mail, relegation-threatened Newcastle United are interested in Sporting CP star Matheus Nunes.
The 23-year-old came through the ranks at Ericeirense, eventually making his way to the first team in the 2015/16 season. He then moved to Estoril in 2018 before earning himself a big transfer to Sporting in 2019.
Nunes has since seen his star rise and has been one of the Primeira Liga side’s top players. He has made 76 appearances for the Portuguese giants so far, scoring seven goals and assisting seven more. He played a key role in Sporting’s triumphant 2020/21 Primeira Liga season.
A central midfielder, Nunes can function as a two-way player capable of performing at a high level in attack and defence. He is, in fact, exactly what Newcastle need in the middle of the park: a solid player who can hold the fort and bring solidity to their midfield.
The Magpies are currently in all sorts of trouble and find themselves languishing in 19th place in the Premier League. They have won just one game in the Premier League all season and will need to turn around their fortunes quickly. Thankfully, the combination of their newfound riches and the January transfer window offers them the opportunity to do just that.
Joe Willock, the Longstaff brothers, Jonjo Shelvey and Jeff Hendrick offer something different in the Newcastle midfield. While they can all be dynamic on their day, they lack consistency and are often found wanting when not in possession.
Nunes is a far more disciplined player and is good at reading opposition movements and stopping them in their tracks. Having such a cool head in the midfield would be a boon for Eddie Howe. This will give the porous Magpies defence enough protection and hand their attackers the freedom to push forward.
The 23-year-old also can carry the ball forward and thread through passes. This will offer the Magpies strikers more opportunities to exploit and take pressure off Allan Saint-Maximin to keep producing magic moments.
Nunes is, however, at a good young side in Sporting, and a move to Newcastle would be a backwards step. While their newfound riches could eventually bail them out, relegation remains a real possibility at this point. Whether the midfielder is willing to take the risk and move to St. James Park remains to be seen.
