Transfer News: Sporting Lisbon are expecting bids for Matheus Nunes amid interest from Chelsea
Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon are expecting bids to arrive at ‘any moment’ for midfielder Matheus Nunes. This is according to Portuguese outlet CM Journal (h/t football.london), amidst interest in the player from Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
According to the Express earlier this month, Chelsea were planning to submit a £43 million bid for the 23-year-old Portuguese international. The player has been in demand after lighting up last season with his energetic performance in the middle of the park.
Nunes has become a key player for Sporting since getting promoted to the senior team in 2020. The central midfielder was a key member of the Sporting squad as they finished second in the table behind rivals FC Porto. The 23-year-old went on to play 50 games in all competitions for the club last season, scoring 4 and assisting 5 in the process.
The Portuguese has gained the attention of a few clubs with his performance last season. He even earned huge praise from Pep Guardiola back in February when he was labelled as one of the best by the manager. This came after Sporting crashed out of the Champions League last-16 losing to Manchester City.
A box-to-box midfielder, he can play in any role in the middle of the park as and when required. Chelsea, meanwhile, have their own set of midfield that needs sorting out. N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are not getting any younger and can’t be expected to play every game for the Blues. Mateo Kovacic has his moments during the course of the season but is not very consistent.
Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour have returned from their respective loan spells and will be keen to impress Tuchel during the pre-season. Gallagher especially could be part of next season’s squad given his exceptional performances during his time at Crystal Palace last season. Adding another midfielder, who will not come cheap, makes very little sense.
With Chelsea needing to fix their defensive and attacking woes, midfield should be of less concern to Tuchel in the market. He has quality midfielders in his ranks and adding another would just make the wage bill fat. Having already signed Raheem Sterling up front and Kalidou Koulibaly at the back, perhaps a new number nine could help the Blues go a long way next season.
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Nunes is no doubt a top-quality player who would improve any squad. But given Chelsea’s present midfield, it would not be so wise to sign another midfielder. Despite this, if they do sign him, it will be interesting to see how Tuchel deploys him and if any current face leaves.
