Despite interest from as many as 20 other top teams, Sky Germany reports that Chelsea are in the lead to capture Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes.
The 23-year-old has garnered much interest from suitors after an outstanding season in which he helped Sporting Lisbon finish second in Portugal’s Liga Bwin.
As recently as last season’s round of 16 encounter against Manchester City in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola was watching Nunes.
Guardiola praised Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, despite his team’s loss to Manchester City, calling Ronaldo “one of the best players in the world” (via BT Sport). Sky Germany claims that at least 15 to 20 major European clubs are interested in signing Nunes.
The player’s reported value of €50 million (£42.3 million) creates an issue for these clubs. Nunes’ new five-year deal with Sporting Lisbon beginning in 2021 contributes significantly to the hefty price tag.
It was earlier claimed by the Portuguese news outlet A Bola that Chelsea was willing to pay what Sporting was reportedly seeking. After this season, Thomas Tuchel may have a need for a new midfielder, as both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante’s contracts at Stamford Bridge expire.
Though the return of Ethan Ampadu and Conor Gallagher will give manager Thomas Tuchel more options, Chelsea may face even more competition for Nunes in the future due to the number of clubs who have shown interest in him. It is common knowledge that Nunes is a talented dribbler; he averaged 2.8 dribbles per 90 minutes in Liga Portugal last season, completing nearly 70% of his efforts.
Because he only scored three goals and had two assists in the competition, he is often compared to Mateo Kovacic.
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