Matheus Nunes has ‘characteristics’ that could make perfectly suited to Premier League football a he prepares to leave Sporting Lisbon for Wolves, former coach Leonel Pontes tells Radio Renascenca.
Nunes’ impending, £38 million move to England will not come as too much of a surprise to those who have watched him blossom over in Lisbon; Breaking free of his chrysalis while dazzling all onlookers with his explosive acceleration and rocket-fuelled running power.
His eventual destination, however, has raised an eyebrow or two.
Nunes was linked with Liverpool, Manchester City and co recently. Instead, he’ll be joining a club who finished tenth in the Premier League last term, and have not won any of their last nine games in England’s top flight.
Nonetheless, Pontes feels Nunes may be making the right call, with Wolverhampton Wanderers proving themselves to be fertile breeding ground for up-and-coming Iberian talent during the Fosun era.
Wolves agree to sign Matheus Nunes from Sporting Lisbon
“(Going to Wolves is good for Nunes because of) the league, not for the team. He will experience more competitive and faster football,” says Pontes, who has had multiple spells coaching at Sporting.
“With this, it will be very good for his evolution, especially considering his characteristics. As a player who moves the ball fast, with technical quality, covers the ground and has the ability to get into goalscoring positions, this could be a football suited to his characteristics.
“(Nunes will play) in one of the best leagues in the world, (in a team) full of good players.
“Perhaps he is at the right level to assert himself in the Premier League. And, at the same time, one day be able to go to a top English team.”
According to Sky, Wolves have agreed a club-record £38 million fee, rising to £42 million. This comes after West Ham saw their own approach rebuffed for the Brazil-born Portugal international.
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