Liverpool are reportedly targeting a summer move for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Matheus Nunes - but the Portugal international could be Manchester United-bound if Bruno Fernandes gets his way.
Nunes, 24, joined Wolves in a club record £38million deal from Sporting CP last year. He made a slow start to life at Molineux but has recently burst into form, including scoring a stunning half volley in the 1-0 win against Chelsea earlier this month.
Liverpool were relentlessly linked with Nunes before he signed a five-year contract at Wolves and are claimed to retain an interest in his services. Sky Sports reported in January that the Reds continue to monitor Nunes while Goal have stated that Jurgen Klopp’s side view him as an alternative to Jude Bellingham.
Liverpool are keen to upgrade their midfield options ahead of next season but have cooled their interest in Bellingham. Borussia Dortmund value the England midfielder at around £130million and Liverpool believe they would be better served using their budget on several signings rather than spending the majority of it on one player.
That’s where Nunes could fit the bill to help revamp Liverpool’s engine room to move on from an underwhelming season for the Anfield club. But Fernandes has already told his United bosses that Nunes should be playing alongside him at Old Trafford.
The pair are international teammates for Portugal and Fernandes revealed his frustration that United failed to pursue a move for Nunes last year while predicting big things from him in the future.
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The 28-year-old told Portuguese media outlet Record in August: “I've already talked to him (Nunes). I've already told him that he should have come here (to United) and not there (to Wolves). I'm very happy for him.
“He's going to experience the best league in the world, he's going to have players beside him with a lot of quality, like Rúben (Sa) and João (Moutinho), who will teach him a lot. They are two experienced players.
“Matheus is doing incredible things. He has an incredible scope for growth, he is a humble, hardworking kid and I'm sure he will probably explode in the Premier League and will show his qualities. Because for his qualities Matheus was not made for the Premier League, but rather the Premier League was made for Matheus.”
United were in the hunt for a new midfielder for the entirety of the last summer window and ended their pursuit by signing Casemiro from Real Madrid. The Brazil international has been a key player for Erik ten Hag’s side this season and is tipped to be crowned the club's Player of the Year.
But United could look to sign a new midfield partner for Casemiro and continue to be linked with the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Declan Rice. There is also the possibility that they could join the race to sign Nunes amid competition from Premier League rivals Liverpool.
Nunes was asked about his future in March and said he would like to return to play for his former club Sporting before retiring. In an interview with Eleven Sports, as relayed by Sport Witness, he said: “It was a wonderful time and I will never forget it. Sporting will always be my first home in Portugal and I hope to be able to return one day.”
Wolves manager Julien Lopetegui, meanwhile, said recently: “I don’t think about the future of the players. The future of the players is to be able to play today. After, we will see. The most important thing is to think about the next match, nothing more.”
