Matheus Nunes reveals extent of Everton summer interest
Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes has revealed just how close he came to joining Everton in the summer after a deal never materialised.
The Toffees were linked with a transfer for the Portugal international midfielder in the summer, who won the Primeira Liga with Sporting CP last season, but he ended up staying with his childhood side.
As the January transfer window approaches, there is no such link anymore with the 23-year-old happy at his current club.
But in an interview with Record, he has now revealed that a move to Everton was never really on the cards for him last summer despite all the speculation.
“To be honest the only thing that came to me was Everton’s interest but nothing happened as I was on vacation,” he said.
“And my agent knows I don’t want to have that kind of distraction while I’m relaxed and recovering.
“There was talk of Everton, but in the meantime I came back and nothing else happened.”
Missed chance
The chance to sign Nunes likely won’t come around again for Everton and that means that they have missed a big chance to improve their squad with a quality player.
Nunes has got a vast skillset, with an ability to go in both directions with and without the ball to a high level. His performances have been largely impressive, to the point where he earned his first cap for the national team earlier this season.
But with his reputation growing, so does his price and that brings attention from clubs in a much better place than Everton are in.
Described as ‘unbelievable‘ by his own teammates, Everton should see this as a big missed opportunity and need to learn in the future to ensure they get these sorts of deals wrapped up.
In other Everton news, Toffees ‘made approach’ for brilliant South American star.