Leeds United have open door to Matheus Nunes as Liverpool pull out of race
Leeds United may have already made a number of signings this summer but that hasn’t stopped them from trying to add more quality.
One player they have considered bringing to Elland Road is Sporting CP midfielder Matheus Nunes, as reported by Record [26 July, Page 9] having watched him intensely since midway through the 2021-22 campaign.
But no team has got close to prising the 23-year-old away from the Portuguese capital so far this summer and now one more team has exited the race.
According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are no longer pursuing a move to sign Nunes having sustained interest throughout the summer but his £51million release clause seems to have proven too much.
That leaves Wolves as the main contenders to sign the player who Pep Guardiola described after a Champions League match last season as “one of the best players in the world today,” as quoted by the Daily Mail.
But even Molineux is not a convincing destination for the Portuguese international which could see Leeds United surge into the lead of the race if they take the chance to barge through the open door that has been left for them.
And he could fit exceptionally well into Jesse Marsch’s high-tempo game while also being able to slow everything down when the time is right which is a hard quality to perfect.
He has proven for both Sporting and Portugal that he can execute a high press very effectively but while some midfielders can do that and then not much else on the ball, Nunes has the technical gift to find a game-changing pass or even take a shot on himself.
It is important that the American coach finds that balance between the combative midfielders and a creator to ensure his Leeds United side doesn’t become a one-trick pony that gets found out easily.
In other Leeds United news, contrary to reports elsewhere, it seems like these two attack-minded talents will not be joining the Whites this summer.