In a recent print edition, Record has mentioned that Newcastle United failed with a €13m offer for Sporting CP midfielder Matheus Nunes. It is understood that the Magpies couldn’t manage to acquire the services of the Brazilian midfield ace as Sporting believed that his value would grow in the future (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness).
Nunes’ Form In Portuguese Football This Season
The Rio de Janeiro-born youngster has enjoyed a solid season at the José Alvalade Stadium as he has put in some eye-catching performances at the centre of Ruben Amorim’s midfield. Nunes has made 23 appearances for the Portuguese giants this term, netting two goals and grabbing two assists in all competitions.
The 22-year-old has struggled to be consistent with his numbers but deserves a pat on the back for influencing the game in both halves. Nunes is averaging 0.6 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 0.5 clearances, 0.6 shots and 1.5 dribbles per game in the Liga NOS. He has even been quite accurate with his ball-distribution after completing 85.2% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
Nunes has shown some promising signs during this campaign and could flourish if given a chance to prove his worth outside Portugal in the future. However, for now, the player is better of concentrating on improving his performances on the field.
What Are The Brazilian Playmaker’s Best Attributes?
Nunes is a deceptively quick midfielder who loves to make some decent sprints towards the opponent’s penalty box. He is a technically gifted footballer and can retain possession when under pressure from the opposition.
The Brazilian sensation has also shown his maturity by working hard to help his teammates out at the back. However, he is still unproven outside Portuguese football, so there are some concerns over whether he would be able to handle the physical side of English football if Newcastle decide to move in for him in the summer.
Should Bruce Go Back In For Nunes Next Summer?
At the moment, the Magpies lack quality and depth in their midfield department as Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, Sean Longstaff and Matty Longstaff have struggled to be consistent with their overall contributions this season. Therefore, Nunes won’t be able to solve their problem this summer as he is currently not good enough to be a regular starter at St. James’ Park.
However, if Nunes can continue to improve at Sporting this season, then Bruce should consider returning with another bid for the player when the transfer window reopens at the end of this season. At 22, the Brazilian has got a lot of room for improvement and could be nurtured into a top talent in the coming years which makes him a good option for the Tyneside giants in the long-run.
