Matheus Nunes (Wolves)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/01/02/liverpool-transfer-news-deal-wolves-44m-matheus-nunes/

Liverpool are exploring a deal to buy the Wolverhampton Wanderers’ midfielder Matheus Nunes as per an agreement last summer when the Portugal international was close to signing for the Anfield club but the transfer did not go through.

Wolves spent around £38 million on the Brazil-born Nunes last summer, after months of Liverpool being linked with him. It is understood that Liverpool made a commitment to bid for him subsequently and that deal is still very much alive this month. Should it go through, Nunes would likely move to Liverpool at the end of this season. Although he has had a slow start to life in English football the deal is likely to be around €50 million (£44 million).

Nunes, 24, is an attacking midfielder who emerged as a major player for Sporting Lisbon over the previous two seasons. He was tracked by a number of big European clubs last season, including Manchester City. In the end he joined Wolves as a record signing with a view to moving once he had adapted to the Premier League. He has not quite been the success that Wolves had hoped.

Nunes has suffered from injuries under the previous manager Bruno Lage and then his immediate successor, the caretaker coach Steve Davis. Before the defeat to Manchester United on Saturday he last completed 90 minutes for Wolves on Sept 17 in the 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City. He has shown flashes of the form that made him such a sought-after player last summer. He made two appearances for Portugal in the World Cup, including a start in the defeat to South Korea in the team’s final group game.

Liverpool have already jumped ahead of Manchester United to make the Dutch international, and World Cup star, Cody Gakpo a major £37 million acquisition from PSV Eindhoven in the January window, a move that could cost up to £50 million eventually. Nunes is more of a long-term project but the perspective has not changed that this is a player whom the club believe has a major future at Anfield.

Liverpool and Wolves negotiated amicably the deal for Diogo Jota to go to Anfield in September 2020. The Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez arrived from Benfica last summer for what was a club record deal for around £85 million. That transfer involved the Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes who would also have an involvement in the Nunes deal to Anfield should it go ahead.

Fosun, the Wolves owners, operate with a model of buying outstanding talent before selling for a substantial profit. The club is still fighting relegation under Julen Lopetegui. The two clubs face one another in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

Not sure how reliable this is. I remember we were linked in the summer.

From reading elsewhere, I heard quite bizarrely we have an option to buy him even though he went to Wolves.

Couldn't even play for us until next season even if this is true right?

This guy is tier 1 for Wolves, so this is likely Jude back up.

Can’t say I’ve ever seen him play, from what I’m reading, it’s nothing to really get excited about. I’ll stick with waiting on Jude.

Last night was the first I remember seeing him play. Thought he looked good - nice and balanced runner, played with his head up and looks like he's got a good touch. Didn't get enough time to really say more than that.

Last night was the first I remember seeing him play. Thought he looked good - nice and balanced runner, played with his head up and looks like he's got a good touch. Didn't get enough time to really say more than that.

Exactly mate, he looked ok


But if you read Facebook, they talking like he destroyed our midfield and that we are stupid for not getting him last season.

F**k sake, never heard of the lad until he was linked with us.

Exactly mate, he looked ok


But if you read Facebook, they talking like he destroyed our midfield and that we are stupid for not getting him last season.

F**k sake, never heard of the lad until he was linked with us.

Well, he would be one fewer guy who can run past all three of Thiago, Hendo and Fab, but agreed it's not like he's the next Zidane or Stevie.

I think if we get anyone else in January it will be a kid (a la Harvey or Gordon) or maybe a loan. I doubt we make an actual first team purchase. Gonna be taking our lumps for a few months.

Exactly mate, he looked ok


But if you read Facebook, they talking like he destroyed our midfield and that we are stupid for not getting him last season.

F**k sake, never heard of the lad until he was linked with us.

I honestly am at a point where I don't even look at comments on any post on social media, especially Twitter. I keep coming back to that, but it truly feels like reading a bunch of 12 yo kids who's only tangible experience about football is playing FIFA on their consoles. It's almost like there is an unwritten rule or competition about who can say the least sensible thing. The best thing is you now have a bunch of accounts catering to these people so its not just the comment section who is like that, but also the posts from pages/accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers

Save yourself the suffering (and brain damage) and stop reading that crap.

I would mate, if it didn’t stick out like big dog balls on my Facebook Feed.

Is anyone else completely underwhelmed by this rumor? I don’t even think he’s a starter for wolves…..let that sink in, that’s one of our big summer targets…..a wolves bench warmer.

Is anyone else completely underwhelmed by this rumor? I don’t even think he’s a starter for wolves…..let that sink in, that’s one of our big summer targets…..a wolves bench warmer.

He has started 15 of their Prem Games so far - he does look like the sort of player Naby should be for us

Is anyone else completely underwhelmed by this rumor? I don’t even think he’s a starter for wolves…..let that sink in, that’s one of our big summer targets…..a wolves bench warmer.

Definitely underwhelmed, but I expect this is what we will see....  The owners will accurately determine that this side needs to be refreshed, but they will do it in typical FSG style -- we will sell or phase out old players and big earners (Mo, Bobby, VVD, Millie, Hendo, and Thiago) as well as anyone whose wages eclipse the return we get in performances (Naby and Ox).  We will spend small to medium size transfer fees and get players willing to play for LFC on modest wages who are in the 18 - 23 year age bracket.  We will give the likes of Darwin, Diogo, Lucho, Fabio, Harvey, Bajcetic, and Konate the reigns and will supplement them with a host of young, talented, hungry new players.  We've already shown that this model can work, and Arsenal are repeating the trick this season, so no reason FSG won't carry on like this.  Sadly, it will likely be 2-3 more frustrating seasons before we get back on another upward trajectory....

Is anyone else completely underwhelmed by this rumor? I don’t even think he’s a starter for wolves…..let that sink in, that’s one of our big summer targets…..a wolves bench warmer.

Jota was a bench warmer at Wolves when we bought him.

I'm not saying Nunes is the answer to our problems, I've not watched him enough to express an opinion,  but the club have a good recent record of identifying and developing players that fit our system and are undervalued by other people.

Jota was a bench warmer at Wolves when we bought him.

I'm not saying Nunes is the answer to our problems, I've not watched him enough to express an opinion,  but the club have a good recent record of identifying and developing players that fit our system and are undervalued by other people.

Undervalued?

We could have had him cheaper at the start of the season if we had stumped up the £40M asking price, no doubt Wolves will now sell him on with a premium!

Our so called fabled recruitment seems to have gone back to just ordinary since Edwards left.

Undervalued?

We could have had him cheaper at the start of the season if we had stumped up the £40M asking price, no doubt Wolves will now sell him on with a premium!

Our so called fabled recruitment seems to have gone back to just ordinary since Edwards left.

When I said undervalued I meant football ability rather than his transfer value. Maybe Klopp and the scouting team like him and think he's worth the money.

Jota was a bench warmer at Wolves when we bought him.

I'm not saying Nunes is the answer to our problems, I've not watched him enough to express an opinion,  but the club have a good recent record of identifying and developing players that fit our system and are undervalued by other people.

Huge myth about Jota.

He pretty much started every game he was available for Wolves.

Honestly think sometimes he got mixed up with Jonny.

Did laugh when I read that because Jürgen hugged him after the game, that meant we are in for him. Also makes me laugh the endless banging on about getting midfielders in , but then moaning about the players we are linked with

Did laugh when I read that because Jürgen hugged him after the game, that meant we are in for him. Also makes me laugh the endless banging on about getting midfielders in , but then moaning about the players we are linked with

Makes me laugh when people bang on about being hungry but then don't want to eat dog food. Also, dog food that won't be served for another 6 months.

Huge myth about Jota.

He pretty much started every game he was available for Wolves.

Honestly think sometimes he got mixed up with Jonny.

There was a time when Jota was extremely hot for Wolves scoring and assisting lots but I think towards the end of his time there he was more on the bench from what I recall, hence was very much out of the blue us signing him.

I am not particularly overwhelmed by this fella Nunes on the little I've seen but don't know enough tbh to feel confident either way. He ain't Bellingham though that's for sure and that's something of a yard stick to measure him by (and beat him with  ).

When I said undervalued I meant football ability rather than his transfer value. Maybe Klopp and the scouting team like him and think he's worth the money.

So why didn’t they stump up the money when we were outbid by Wolves in the Summer 🤷‍♂️

So why didn’t they stump up the money when we were outbid by Wolves in the Summer 🤷‍♂️

Did we actually bid for him in the summer for us to be outbid by Wolves 🤷‍♂️


If he does arrive in the summer he wouldn’t be the first player to come to us after one season at another club

This whole situation is just weird if this story is true. You want the player, but let another, much less attractive team (with all due respect to Wolves here) with, presumably, much less financial power beat you to the deal. I'll assume we never even placed a bid because I think if we do then the player and his agent naturally angle towards us and because of that there's at least an attempt from Sporting at negotiations if they aren't happy with our bid 

Now what do you expect? That Wolves will sell him, less than a year into his contract for less than what they paid for? It sounds like a sure recipe for paying much more than you would've paid if you just went for it and got him from Sporting last summer. Nothing guarantees Wolves will taste relegation and even if it were to happen teams don't really fire sale because of that like we saw in recent years (Watford and their ridiculous Sarr price tag come to mind).

Did we actually bid for him in the summer for us to be outbid by Wolves 🤷‍♂️


If he does arrive in the summer he wouldn’t be the first player to come to us after one season at another club

Lots of journo’s at the time said we wanted him but not prepared to pay the asking price.

Lots of journo’s at the time said we wanted him but not prepared to pay the asking price.

The key phrase is “journos”

The key phrase is “journos”

You seem to believe those that suit 😁

You seem to believe those that suit 😁

Nope 🤷‍♂️

He may have made mincemeat of our midfield but less than bang average against Forest so not sure what that says of our midfield

He may have made mincemeat of our midfield but less than bang average against Forest so not sure what that says of our midfield

What's been a strength for us had quite rapidly become our biggest weakness.

Some of the lads have aged badly even as this season has went on which has surprised me more than I anticipated.

He may have made mincemeat of our midfield but less than bang average against Forest so not sure what that says of our midfield

Yeah, so if your players can’t play to your tactic, and you can’t change the players, then change the tactic.
You can’t keep repeating the failure that it has become 🤷‍♂️

Yeah, so if your players can’t play to your tactic, and you can’t change the players, then change the tactic.
You can’t keep repeating the failure that it has become 🤷‍♂️

Which we did at the start of the season!!

Watched him back to back games now. Meh, pass for that type of money

I'm sure Mane said one of the reasons he decided to leave, was the intensity of the training and playing. He said he didn't want to put his body through that anymore, as he wanted to have a longer playing career. Understandable, and it's showing on our older players, although they are not old by todays standards, just too old for our intense tactics.

I'm sure Mane said one of the reasons he decided to leave, was the intensity of the training and playing. He said he didn't want to put his body through that anymore, as he wanted to have a longer playing career. Understandable, and it's showing on our older players, although they are not old by todays standards, just too old for our intense tactics.

Although somehow Mo is able to withstand it, Milner seems to do just fine as well. Dunno, I guess there could be something to it, but honestly, if guys are willing to take care of their bodies, the club has so many resources to keep them strong and healthy. It's not like they are bent over working in a coal mine their entire life.

Was listening to bloodred pocast last night, and they mentioned that he is in the 8th position from bottom when it comes to progressive passes in Europe, and is averaging 2 every 90 min.

They also mentioned that he needs some defensive minded midfielder along side him, as they think he as a better 10 then traditional cm.

Although i do watch bit of portoguese league, im no expert and really didnt notice nunes when he was there. . I'm just passing on information.

Although somehow Mo is able to withstand it, Milner seems to do just fine as well. Dunno, I guess there could be something to it, but honestly, if guys are willing to take care of their bodies, the club has so many resources to keep them strong and healthy. It's not like they are bent over working in a coal mine their entire life.

But we do seem to have a lot more injuries to players from training incidents, than other clubs.

https://twitter.com/fabrizioromano/status/1615316755357761536?s=46&t=O-FkIZCkr8vzVjfYxL0LOQ

Paul Joyce also reported we are after him in the summer

https://twitter.com/fabrizioromano/status/1615316755357761536?s=46&t=O-FkIZCkr8vzVjfYxL0LOQ

Paul Joyce also reported we are after him in the summer

Depending on how the rest of our season goes, he may not want to join us. I think the attraction, or part of it, is playing CL and we may be running out of time to achieve that.

Depending on how the rest of our season goes, he may not want to join us. I think the attraction, or part of it, is playing CL and we may be running out of time to achieve that.

Sadio, Gini and Matip, 3 key players to our success, arrived the summer after we missed CL qualification. Besides, if Nunes was only interested in CL football, Klopp wouldn't want him anyway. He's already said he wants people to come help push the train, not just go for the ride.

I rather have neves over Nunes

I’ll pass on any wolves players. Wasn’t impressed.

I’ll pass on any wolves players. Wasn’t impressed.

Plussed ya but then thought, no only Neves impressed me.

You can still have the plus tho 

Plussed ya but then thought, no only Neves impressed me.

You can still have the plus tho 

You must of been on a high! to give him a plus 

I’ll pass on any wolves players. Wasn’t impressed.

What didn't impress you with Neves? His long ball is top notch. Dude looked like Xabi on Tuesday

What didn't impress you with Neves? His long ball is top notch. Dude looked like Xabi on Tuesday

Well Hendo has a great long ball too, just saying, I think we can shoot higher than Wolves.

Well Hendo has a great long ball too, just saying, I think we can shoot higher than Wolves.

Tell that to Robertson; Hull, Mane as well with Southampton, VVD with Celtic/Southampton; etc.

Tell that to Robertson; Hull, Mane as well with Southampton, VVD with Celtic/Southampton; etc.

Maybe I wasn’t clear, I think we can (and should) shoot higher than the current Wolves players. I am sorry if that offends anyone that rates any of their current players. My opinion is my own.

Maybe I wasn’t clear, I think we can (and should) shoot higher than the current Wolves players. I am sorry if that offends anyone that rates any of their current players. My opinion is my own.

Offended far from it. Your opinion but if Klopp sees someone who is in his one a huge improvement to ours, why not.

I think a lot of ‘meh’ about this player is that most of us are still dreaming of Bellingham.
As long as he stays fit and can do a job I’m happy with it.

Offended far from it. Your opinion but if Klopp sees someone who is in his one a huge improvement to ours, why not.

There are plenty of players through the years that have been purchased from lower level clubs

Southampton
Fulham
Newcastle
Charlton
Villa
Burnley
Wolves
Hull
Stoke


Thats just under Klopp

I suppose the concern is Wolves look a bit sh*t and buying from a team that is a bit sh*t feels a bit sh*t, but can anyone, except the Portuguese fella on here, seriously say they have watched enough of the guy to know? Doesn't inspire me as a potential signing but you have to think the club have done their homework if we end up signing him. It would feel strange however if we paid a premium on top of what they paid to get him if he isn't pulling up any trees at Wolves.

I suppose the concern is Wolves look a bit sh*t and buying from a team that is a bit sh*t feels a bit sh*t, but can anyone, except the Portuguese fella on here, seriously say they have watched enough of the guy to know? Doesn't inspire me as a potential signing but you have to think the club have done their homework if we end up signing him. It would feel strange however if we paid a premium on top of what they paid to get him if he isn't pulling up any trees at Wolves.

Just going by what I've seen from him since he's been announced as a rumored target. Hasn't impressed me. Your mileage may vary.

I haven't seen enough of him to comment. Didn't really stand out when playing us either.
 But we did buy Mane and Vvd of Southampton who are sh*te !

My buddies wife is a Wolves fan so he gets stuck watching a lot of their games.... He said Neves will cost more than we want to spend. He said Nunes is pretty good but that he seems like a bit of an asshole and his mentality on the pitch gets him in trouble. Whether it's a card or getting kicked then spending the next 10 minutes running around trying to get the guy back rather than helping play footy. Said he's a bit of a headache and that we can do better. Also said Wolves will try and gouge us on price since he's new.

My buddies wife is a Wolves fan so he gets stuck watching a lot of their games.... He said Neves will cost more than we want to spend. He said Nunes is pretty good but that he seems like a bit of an asshole and his mentality on the pitch gets him in trouble. Whether it's a card or getting kicked then spending the next 10 minutes running around trying to get the guy back rather than helping play footy. Said he's a bit of a headache and that we can do better. Also said Wolves will try and gouge us on price since he's new.

Sounds promising!

Imagine having a wife who is a Wolves fan. That must be grim.

Sounds promising!

Imagine having a wife who is a Wolves fan. That must be grim.

He's a Milan fan. Both are great people, but suck football fans

Was saying back in the summer before he ended up at Wolves that we should be going for him.

What did people think about his performance last night?

I only remember one incident of note where he got past a couple of our players from outside his own box to start an attack.

What did people think about his performance last night?

I only remember one incident of note where he got past a couple of our players from outside his own box to start an attack.

Not sure what the big deal is about him. Hopefully we are in for Rice, Mount and/or Bellingham instead of this guy.

What did people think about his performance last night?

I only remember one incident of note where he got past a couple of our players from outside his own box to start an attack.

He looks comfortable on the ball but because they didn’t have too much possession he wasn’t involved that much

In the away game you could see why Klopp wokld like him

What did people think about his performance last night?

I only remember one incident of note where he got past a couple of our players from outside his own box to start an attack.

Went last night didn't hear team news and had to ask after 60 mins if he was playing or on bench

Not sure what the big deal is about him. Hopefully we are in for Rice, Mount and/or Bellingham instead of this guy.

Agreed. He's okay,  but for that price we can do better

Pass

Give me Mathias Jensen over Matheus Nunez any day. I love Jensen

Are we really interested in this guy or is it a wind up he's absolute sh*te.

https://twitter.com/liverpoolphotox/status/1644711421232414722?s=46&t=_4uI6CiVRqge8WqM7F37Iw

https://twitter.com/liverpoolphotox/status/1644711421232414722?s=46&t=_4uI6CiVRqge8WqM7F37Iw

I watched this game. He dominated their midfield and was easily the best player on the pitch. But I don't see that every game. Seems hit or miss. My Wolves friend says we can do better

https://twitter.com/liverpoolphotox/status/1644711421232414722?s=46&t=_4uI6CiVRqge8WqM7F37Iw

Liverpool target says who?

I watched this game. He dominated their midfield and was easily the best player on the pitch. But I don't see that every game. Seems hit or miss. My Wolves friend says we can do better

The game i watched nunes play recently, he had a aweful game. They conceded 6 goals and three of them was directly his fault. Loosing the ball, or mispasses. I felt bad for the lad but i hope we don't sign him because he doesn't seem to fit in this league.

Haven’t been impressed any time I’ve watched wolves

There are plenty of players through the years that have been purchased from lower level clubs

Southampton
Fulham
Newcastle
Charlton
Villa
Burnley
Wolves
Hull
Stoke


Thats just under Klopp

this is a fair point to tbh. Almost all of our signing that came good were not 'setting the world of fire' necessarily before they came to us. Even Salah was getting written off when he signed. Chelsea reject, one season wonder etc etc.

So for me, whoever we decide to buy i will wait and see.

Absolutely sh*te. No.

No

Bang average. I think if that’s the standard we are shopping around, we’re gonna be in big trouble for the foreseeable future.
It’s certainly not an improvement on what we’ve got.

When I first saw him I said, what was all the fuss about?

You guys have just confirmed what I thought. Thanks

Next?

this is a fair point to tbh. Almost all of our signing that came good were not 'setting the world of fire' necessarily before they came to us. Even Salah was getting written off when he signed. Chelsea reject, one season wonder etc etc.

So for me, whoever we decide to buy i will wait and see.

THe main difference is that you could see Robbo was a good player, same goes for Mo. Mane and VVD were showing promise for saints. The question was were they good enough for Liverpool? With Nunes, its totally different. He doesnt look like a footballer at all in the Wolves team. I honestly havent seen worse performances from a midfielder like Nunes have played for Wolves this season. Im not kidding, he has been aweful in the games he has played. I feel bad for him.

Surprised Man City are going after him after failing to impress last season.

Surprised Man City are going after him after failing to impress last season.

It is a bit of a strange one. I don't think he's a bad player but he doesn't strike me as particularly impactful or standout in any way. Maybe there is some hidden knowledge here, in his stats or what he achieved at Sporting, as he has looked pretty average at Wolves.

It is a bit of a strange one. I don't think he's a bad player but he doesn't strike me as particularly impactful or standout in any way. Maybe there is some hidden knowledge here, in his stats or what he achieved at Sporting, as he has looked pretty average at Wolves.

Perhaps it's just a squad depth signing. City always tend to go far in the domestic cups because their second string teams wipe the floor with most PL teams 2nd string teams.

Perhaps it's just a squad depth signing. City always tend to go far in the domestic cups because their second string teams wipe the floor with most PL teams 2nd string teams.

Their 2nd string came unstuck against us as Wembley. But yeah I take your point.

They're always going to get to the semi's. They get favourable draws EVERY year and they're depth gives them a huge advantage.

Surprised Man City are going after him after failing to impress last season.

Think there’s a bit of kidology going on there. Trying to convince other clubs he’s the dogs, then they dive in and buy a last minute flop.
Why didn’t they go for him at the start of the window ?

He’s done nothing this or last season to warrant a move anywhere I think.

No ow he’s on strike, to force a move to City !

Would be funny if Jorg pulls a Chelsea by swooping in and outbidding City for Nunes 

Would be funny if Jorg pulls a Chelsea by swooping in and outbidding City for Nunes 

I'd be very cautious about going for a player who is happy to miss training to get a move to a bigger club. He's not going to get many games at City so he's obviously more focused on money. Also, the general consensus is that he's nothing spectacular, an average PL player.

Surprised Man City are going after him after failing to impress last season.

Average player Paqueta is way better, even Douglas Luiz.

Would be funny if Jorg pulls a Chelsea by swooping in and outbidding City for Nunes 

It wouldn't be funny at all that we would swoop in and buy a sh*t player that's obviously willing to throw a hissy to get a move.

I'll pass.

It wouldn't be funny at all that we would swoop in and buy a sh*t player that's obviously willing to throw a hissy to get a move.

I'll pass.

Agree.

Jürgen won't go near him

He's looking like a real idiot now, going for strike and then City bailing out and not willing to pay £60 million for him.

He's looking like a real idiot now, going for strike and then City bailing out and not willing to pay £60 million for him.

Who would pay £60 million for him he's so average!

Seems to be the new trend,The boy at Leeds done it,then realised he'd made a James hunt of it,and crawled back into the team. Watched him last night against Salford, a one trick pony. Always diving .

Gone to City, bench warmer I guess when KDB is back.