Everton and Newcastle United have reportedly submitted enquiries to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes this summer.
According to a report from Foot Mercato, Sporting Lisbon playmaker Matheus Nunes is the subject of interest from a host of Premier League clubs over a possible move in the summer transfer window. Manchester City and Wolves have been monitoring the player for quite some time. Now, Newcastle United and Everton have made approaches for the Portuguese international.
Signed from Estoril in 2019 for just £850,000, the 23-year-old has come leaps and bounds in the last couple of seasons and has established himself as an important player for the Green and Whites. Nunes scored three goals and provided two assists in 31 appearances in his debut first-team season, playing an instrumental role as Sporting won their first league title in 19 years in the 2020/21 campaign.
This past season, he blossomed into one of the country’s most exciting talents with another productive campaign, scoring three goals and assisting twice in 32 league appearances, helping his side finish second in the league.
Not to mention, Nunes’s stellar Champions League performances have raised the eyebrows of onlookers, including Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who heaped praise on him and labelled him “one of the best players in the world“. So it is easy to see why so many clubs are interested in securing his services.
Contracted until 2026 with Sporting, the 23-year-old has a €60 million release clause in his current contract. The report adds that an approach of €45 million has already been made for the player by an unnamed club, only to be knocked back by the Portuguese outfit, who will not entertain any bids below his buy-out price.
Everton, for one, have been a long-term admirer of his talent and came close to signing him last summer. But Nunes ended up choosing to stay in Portugal rather than make a move to the English shores. It now appears the Toffees have been looking at Nunes once again, with the club contemplating making a move for him in this summer window.
Midfield is an area Frank Lampard can improve this summer. There is uncertainty over the future of Brazilian enforcer Allan, with his Everton contract expiring next year, while Donny van de Beek has already returned to Manchester United after his short-term loan spell at Goodison Park.
However, it does not appear like Everton can afford to spend a lot of money on anyone this summer due to Financial Fair Play concerns around Goodison Park, particularly if they do not sell one of their top talents, either Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison.
This puts Newcastle firmly in the head-to-head race thanks to the deep pockets of their owners. With their recent interest in AS Roma playmaker Lorenzo Pellegrini, it becomes apparent that Eddie Howe is searching the market for a midfielder this summer.
And Nunes fits the bill; The highly-rated Portuguese international excels at taking the ball from the defence and using his speed to make inroads into opposing territory. He has strong dribbling and passing ability and can also operate as No. 8 if needed. But it remains unclear if Everton or Newcastle will manage to pay €60 million to land the 23-year-old.
