Club dismisses transfer talks with Manchester City following claims from Spain

Reports in Portugal have suggested that Manchester City’s pursuit of Sporting midfielder Matheus Nunes has been dismissed by the Lisbon club.

Rumours linking Manchester City midfield star Bernardo Silva with a move to Barcelona have continued to persist throughout this summer.

This comes despite the La Liga club’s very public financial problems. 

Etihad Stadium hierarchy are said to be demanding a fee in excess of €80 million for Silva.

The Portugal international has been a key member of Pep Guardiola’s squad that recently secured their fourth Premier League title in the last five seasons. 

With Barcelona’s continued pursuit of Bernardo Silva, and the player’s reported desire to join the Catalan club if the offer is right, Manchester City have been forced to consider alternative options in midfield.

The Cityzens have already secured the services of former Leeds United and current England star Kalvin Phillips for a reported fee of £42.5 million to replace departed captain Fernandinho.

However, losing Bernardo Silva could leave a hole in the centre of the park for Guardiola. 

One of the many names linked to the replacement role if Bernardo Silva were to leave has been Sporting midfielder Matheus Nunes.

Recent reports out of Spain have suggested that Manchester City have been in contact with the Lisbon club over the 23 year-old.

However, reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola, and relayed by Sport Witness have claimed that Sporting have now dismissed any talks with the Premier League club, and are not keen on selling Nunes. 

According to the report, only an offer they cannot refuse - in the range of €50 million or more - would convince them to let him leave.

While early reports this summer revealed that Manchester City may have come in for the Sporting man, A Bola has claimed that only one Premier League side engaged in talks with the Liga NOS club, and it was Wolverhampton Wanderers.

As it stands, the Premier League champions kick off the 2022/23 campaign against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, and Bernardo Silva is still a City player. 

Barcelona have sustained very public struggles to register signings that they have already made this summer due to salary restrictions.

As such, a deal nearing €100 million after fees and wages for Bernardo Silva looks unlikely - leaving Manchester City with no need to sign a replacement.