- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Manchester City are ready to listen to offers for Matheus Nunes just one year after signing the Portugal international in a £53 million deal from Premier League rivals Wolves as clubs in Saudi Arabia circle.
HITC understands that, ahead of a summer in which Kalvin Phillips will be made available by the English champions, another midfielder who arrived for big money but failed to live up to expectations is facing an uncertain future of his own.
Matheus Nunes was snapped up by Manchester City in a £53 million deal on the final day of the 2023 summer transfer window after a drawn-out transfer saga.
The former Sporting Lisbon starlet made only seven top-flight starts during another title-winning campaign under Pep Guardiola, however, and is yet to score a single goal in sky blue.
Guardiola, back in September, also rowed back on the glowing praise he sent Nunes’ way ahead of a Champions League meeting between Man City and Sporting in 2022. The City boss described the 25-year-old as one of the best players in world football at the time.
“Maybe I overexaggerated a little bit,” Guardiola would later reflect. “He’s not.
“But he’s an exceptional player.”
Manchester City will consider Matheus Nunes offers
Man City are certainly not short of ‘exceptional’ players.
Like Phillips, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham United, Nunes has found it difficult to force his way into a star-studded City midfield with Phil Foden, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and co all ahead of him in the pecking order.
HITC have been told that Man City may now be willing to cut their losses already. The midfielder’s representatives, which includes one Jorge Mendes, are considering their options. Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have shown an interest in the past, while there is interest from Saudi Arabian clubs at present.
Fellow Portugal internationals Ruben Neves and Otavio are already plying their trade in the Middle East.
How Nunes feels about his own Man City future, meanwhile, remains to be seen. The talented ball-carrier will surely have been left feeling a little concerned after being left out of Portugal’s squad for the upcoming European Championships, head coach Roberto Martinez blaming a lack of regular game time for his omission.
Former Wolves ace left out of Portugal Euro 2024 roster
“We can talk about competition, about levels,” Martinez tells O Jogo. “The important thing is what the player can bring individually to the team. Ruben Neves had an important period during qualifying.
“Here, we are representing the work of almost 18 months. Ruben Neves and Otavio in that period, as well as Matheus Nunes, showed what they can bring to the Selecao. The level of competition is not a problem, it’s more a question of the number of minutes, games (played), form and role in the team.
“For us, Otavio and Ruben are at an important level for our dressing room.”
HITC understands that Man City are keen on Bayern Munich contract rebel Joshua Kimmich. Should the German reunite with Guardiola, that would push Nunes even further down the list.
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