In a recent report, Record (subscription required) has mentioned that Everton are inching closer towards sealing a move for Sporting CP midfielder Matheus Nunes this summer. It is understood that the Toffees are in pole position to land the Brazilian midfield ace but could face competition in the form of Newcastle United for the player (via Record).
Nunes’ Up And Down Season In Portuguese Football
The Rio de Janeiro-born sensation caught the eye with his performances in Portuguese football last season as he managed to make himself a useful member of Sporting’s midfield department. Nunes scored three goals and picked up three assists in 39 matches for the Portuguese giants in the previous campaign across all competitions.
The 22-year-old impressed in patches but failed to find consistency on the field based on his average of 0.6 tackles, 0.5 shots and 1.2 dribbles per game in the 2020-21 Liga NOS season. However, he distributed possession with conviction after completing 84.5% of his attempted passes in the Portuguese top-flight (stats via whoscored).
Nunes deserves a lot of credit for helping Sporting clinch the Liga NOS title last season. He is under contract at the José Alvalade Stadium until the summer of 2025, so it won’t be easy for the Toffees to bring him to Goodison Park on a bargain deal before the start of the new campaign.
Will Nunes Be The Right Fit For Everton This Summer?
Nunes is a moderately-paced midfielder who can make some clever runs with the ball towards the opposition penalty box. He has proven his worth as a decent passer of the ball and has got a few assists to show for his efforts last season. The Portuguese youngster can even contribute by scoring the odd goal from time to time but needs to find a way to improve his end-product and be more consistent for his team at the centre of the park.
Recruiting Nunes will undeniably add more depth to Everton’s squad that might help them cope with fixture congestion and player unavailability better in the coming seasons. There is no denying that he will increase competition for places within the Toffees squad.
With all things considered, Nunes will be a good fit for the Merseyside outfit as long as they are willing to be patient with his development. The Sporting midfield ace is far from a finished product and might struggle to make a smooth transition to Premier League football. However, he has the potential to become a future star which makes him a shrewd, long-term option for Everton to consider in this off-season.
