Manchester City aren’t short of defensive-midfielders with Fernandinho and Rodri at their disposal, but the Premier League leaders may have to identify a replacement for the former as he turns 37 in May and will be out of contract in the coming months.
Bruno Andrade of OUL Esporte (h/t Sport Witness) says Sporting midfielder Matheus Nunes is on their radar and may be available for a cut price. The 23-year-old has a release clause of €60m (£50.3m) but could be sold for €40m (£33.5m).
Nunes joined Sporting from GD Estoril Praia in 2019 and has gone on to make 91 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals with eight assists. The Brazilian-born Portuguese international has been a regular at the Estádio José Alvalade and is a talented ball-winner who could improve City’s squad.
Nunes has made 42 appearances across the board this season, scoring three goals with five assists. He’s created 18 chances, completed 81.5% of 1076 passes, won 19 aerial duels, blocked 20 shots/passes/crosses, made 17 clearances and averaged a tackle (36) or interception (25) every 33 minutes from 26 Liga NOS games, so it’s easy to see why the Sky Blues are keen.
The 23-year-old has made more tackles and interceptions than Kevin De Bruyne this season, so he’s more than adept at turning over possession. Time will tell if City make bring him to the Etihad Stadium, however, as they’re yet to lodge a bid.
In other news, Man City ‘expected to sign’ 21 y/o this summer, owners to ‘offer’ £500k p/w wages