23-year-old star turns down Premier League club - he wants Liverpool

Liverpool transfer target Matheus Nunes has rejected an approach from Premier League side West Ham United, according to Hammers boss David Moyes.

The Portuguese midfielder has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Reds from Portuguese outlets in particular and he is said to be 'waiting to join' Klopp's side.

“We made a bid for Nunes but he chose not to come,” West Ham boss Moyes said to the media via The Athletic.

The Irons made a £25m bid which was rebuffed by both Sporting Lisbon and the player, and it is unlikely Moyes’ men will go back in for him.

This came after the Irons pursued now-Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, and it could be a positive sign for Liverpool that Nunes is still available.

Many fans have been calling for Jurgen Klopp’s side to invest in the position due to injuries suffered during pre-season and on an opening day against Fulham.

Spanish general Thiago picked up a hamstring problem against Marco Silva’s side just after half-time as the Reds drew 2-2.

Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also picked up problems that could see them out for a while, with Thiago expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.

However, Naby Keita has recently become available and is expected to feature against Crystal Palace after his absence with illness.

Jordan Henderson and James Milner are ageing figures within the squad and Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho are somewhat unproven.

Not bringing in someone of Nunes’ quality could ultimately be the difference between winning and failing to win the Premier League title.

The 22-year-old joined Sporting from Estoril as a teenager, and has established himself as one of the most wanted young players in Europe.

He has been deployed within a double pivot of Sporting’s 3-4-3 system, but does like to get forward, which will be music to Liverpool’s ears as he could be used in multiple positions in multiple systems.

He scored four goals in 50 games last year in all competitions, but in a more flowing and progressive system, he would likely flourish.