Wolves were willing to hand Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes a five-year deal worth £35,000-a-week before the Portugal international turned down the Premier League outfit, as reported by CM Jornal.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have made huge strides since Chinese billionaires Fosun International took control of the club back in 2016; From the middle of the Championship to within touching distance of a Europa League final.
But the men from Molineux still have a way to go before they can attract players of this ilk to the Black Country. It is well documented that Matheus Nunes would only leave Sporting for a club capable of offering him Champions League action.
Wolves, however, will not be playing any form of continental football next term after slumping to a tenth-place finish in 2021/22.
Matheus Nunes turns down Wolverhampton Wanderers move
According to CM Jornal, Wolves would have given 23-year-old Nunes a five-year deal worth around £35,000-a-wee. They were also willing to make the Brazil-born dynamo their record signing, paying £38 million, rising to £43 million with add-ons.
But, during Saturday’s friendly between Sporting and Wolves, Nunes will be wearing green-and-white rather than ‘Old Gold’. Much to the delight of Leoes coach Ruben Amorim.
“I’m happy that Matheus Nunes is still here,” beams Amorim, who was linked with the Paris Saint-Germain job before Christophe Galtier replaced Mauricio Pochettino at the Parc des Princes.
“I’m happy that Sporting’s players, like Matheus Nunes, reject offers that would change their lives to stay at Sporting.
“This is my reality; I am very happy with my squad. My players are the best in the world.”
Pep Guardiola certainly thinks so.
The Manchester City boss memorably described Nunes as ‘one of the best players in the world’ earlier this year; Though it is impossible not to reminded of a certain Nathan Redmond when Pep goes on one of his wild-eyed raves.
According to O Jogo, Nunes has told Amorim that he’ll stay for one more year at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
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