Gilberto Silva believes Tottenham Hotspur target Matheus Nunes is perfectly suited to the Premier League and would be pleased to see Arsenal sign the Sporting Lisbon star, speaking to Record.
There is no guarantee, of course, that Nunes would be able to adapt immediately to the hustle and bustle of England’s top flight. But before you all race to highlight the gulf in quality that exists between the Primeira Liga and the Premier League, let us throw three names at you.
Bruno Fernandes. Ruben Dias. And Luis Diaz.
Three players who, in the last two years, swapped Portugal for Britain. Three players who, despite arriving from a far-less competitive league, have adapted like the proverbial duck to water.
Fernandes almost single-handedly dragged Manchester United into the Champions League places in 2019/20. Dias is the rock at the heart of Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City side.
And, against Norwich City on Saturday, Diaz marked a sparkling performance with his first goal in Liverpool colours.
And Gilberto Silva, the legendary Arsenal midfielder, is convinced 23-year-old Nunes has everything required to follow in their footsteps on English soil.
Could Arsenal snatch Matheus Nunes?
“I think so (he could thrive in the Premier League),” says Gilberto Silva, a key cog in Arsene Wenger’s Invincible Arsenal side.
“He’s super-adapted to the European game and that wouldn’t be a barrier for him.
“The Premier League is the most difficult league in the world, due to the quality of the players, the teams and the coaches, who are considered the best in the world.”
When asked whether Arsenal could make a move for the £20 million-rated Nunes, Gilberto responded by pointing to Pep Guardiola’s praise of the Portugal international playmaker.
Guardiola, after Manchester City thumped Sporting 5-0 in the Champions League last week, described Nunes as ‘one of the best players in the world today’.
“Why not (join Arsenal)?” Gilberto adds.
“When praise comes from Pep Guardiola, the world stops to listen and pay attention. And if Pep says that, it’s because he knows Matheus Nunes can reach that level.
“I hope to see Matheus Nunes in the Premier League soon.”
Nunes is a long-time transfer target for Newcastle United and came within touching distance of a move to Everton last summer. That was, however, until Rafa Benitez arrived with his own set of transfer targets.
Record, meanwhile, reported last week that Arsenal’s North London neighbours Tottenham have joined the race for Nunes’ signature.
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