Everton in hunt to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes but no deal agreed
Everton are still in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes but no deal has been agreed yet, according to the Express.
The 22-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Everton in June, with various outlets reporting that a move was in the offing, such as A Bola [17/06/21] who claimed a deal was “practically closed” with a fee and personal terms agreed.
However, while insisting that the Blues retain an interest in the Brazilian, Express Sport journalist Ryan Taylor has shut down talk that negotiations have been advanced.
Taylor wrote: “Matheus Nunes remains a player of interest to Everton but it’s clear their name is being used to drive up interest in the player.
“There were even stories suggesting that a deal had been agreed and was therefore imminent. Express Sport understands that has never been the case.
“The Toffees are one of several clubs to have been offered Nunes by Jorge Mendes and while a move hasn’t been ruled out, the club were focusing efforts on the appointment of a new manager.”
Assessing his options
There needs to be a happy medium between the new Everton boss Rafa Benitez and director of football Marcel Brands.
Nunes may well be a player tracked and admired by Brands, but it’s little use in signing him if Benitez has no plans for him.
He certainly comes well regarded, though.
Goncalo Santos, an ex-teammate of Nunes, spoke to the Liverpool Echo last month about the Brazilian.
He said: “It’s unbelievable when he has the ball at his feet. Nobody can catch him; it’s impossible because he’s too fast.”
Nunes has been at Sporting since 2019 and he helped the Lisbon-based outfit win their first league title in 19 years last season.
He’s certainly got the right sort of profile in terms of potential new signings, but it remains to be seen whether Benitez gives any move the go-ahead to the player offered by super-agent Mendes, who is also the advisor for Blues star James Rodriguez.
In other Everton news, Lee Dixon aims thinly-veiled swipe at Blues supporters amid online fan fury over 27-year-old.
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