Premier League rival make audacious move for major Liverpool transfer target

West Ham have submitted a bid for Sporting Lisbon star Matheus Nunes but the midfielder, who has been a Liverpool target all summer, is said to prefer a move to Merseyside.

Well-respected Portuguese news organisation, Record, have reported that the Hammers' offered €30m (+€5m add-ons) in an attempt to secure Nunes’ signature.

However, it was revealed earlier in the summer that Sporting have set a strict asking price of €50m for the 23-year-old.

Lisbon manager, Ruben Amorim, is also said to have been convincing the club’s President that he should only be let go if their valuation is met.

After an impressive season for Sporting Lisbon, Nunes has attracted the interest of many Premier League clubs.

Wolves, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool have all had the youngster on their radar, but it seems as if West Ham are the only side to have placed a formal bid as of yet.

But Liverpool have a good chance of acquiring his services as, according to the Daily Mirror, Nunes is keen to play in the Champions League and his preferred destination is Anfield.

Many are convinced this would be the perfect move for him, including Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano who tweeted recently:

“A player like Matheus Nunes, a talented 23-year-old from Sporting Lisbon, would be a smart idea (for Liverpool).”

With the likes of Milner and Henderson in their 30s already, and Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho only a year away from joining them, there is an obvious need for Klopp to begin a rebuild in midfield.

Moreover, the recent injury to Thiago in Liverpool’s opening Premier League match of the season creates the need for a quick fix in the centre of the park, and Nunes could be the perfect solution.