Liverpool’s interest in conducting further incoming business this summer has diminished, but the availability of Matheus Nunes may have changed that.
Nunes enjoyed a strong season with Sporting Lisbon as they finished as runners-up in the Primeira Liga.
The Portuguese midfielder operated primarily as more of a defensive minded engine room man last season, but he’s a player who can do a bit of everything.
Rated at £33 million, he could add some much-needed quality in depth to Liverpool’s ageing midfield.
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The Reds have a plethora of options at their disposal in Jürgen Klopp’s more offensively oriented right-sided central midfield role, but cover in the 2 other central midfield positions isn’t quite as strong.
If Thiago Alcantara or Fabinho were to be unavailable for an extended period for the Anfield club, it would cause all sorts of problems on Merseyside.
The acquisition of a player of Nunes’ profile would go some way towards easing some of those concerns.
Liverpool aren’t the only side interested in capturing Nunes’ signature, with Chelsea and Wolves also keeping tabs on the 23-year-old.
Within their report on Liverpool’s interest, Jornal de Noticias claim the Reds’ main Premier League rivals Manchester City are also admirers of Nunes.
The interest from such clubs is a testament to Nunes’ technical quality.
A strong dribbler of the football, Nunes is able to navigate the opposition press expertly, making him well suited to a high-possession side like Liverpool or Man City.
It’s a move Liverpool fans would be happy to see their club make.
There has been much talk of Liverpool’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham, but if he were to return to England to join the Reds, he wouldn’t arrive until 2023.
The Liverpool midfield is the only real weak spot within the Liverpool team, and Nunes would be able to improve it immediately rather than 12 months down the line.
One to keep an eye on. Liverpool likely won’t bring in any more players this summer, but the opportunity to sign Nunes could be too good to ignore.
Robert Worthington