From Paul Hirst: Pep Guardiola blocks attempts by Atletico Madrid to sign second Manchester City star this summer | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Matheus Nunes is set to remain at the Etihad Stadium this season at the request of manager Pep Guardiola.

The 26-year-old, who moved to Manchester City from Wolves in a £53 million deal on Deadline Day last September, made just 14 starts during his debut season at the Etihad Stadium, despite lifting the Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

Nunes made 29 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s last season, and was signed suddenly by Etihad bosses in the aftermath of Kevin De Bruyne suffering a long-term hamstring injury against Burnley at Turf Moor in August 2023.

The Portugal international scored an emphatic penalty during the shoot-out in the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium against Manchester United earlier this month, and also featured during Saturday’s 4-1 win over Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

The former Sporting Lisbon midfielder has been linked with leaving Manchester City after just one season however, with Atletico Madrid having been ‘exploring’ the possibility of signing the 26-year-old on loan, according to David Ornstein.

Nunes could have become the second Manchester City player to move to the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano, after Etihad bosses sanctioned the club-record sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid in a €95 million deal.

Diego Simeone’s side have also already boosted their midfield options from the Premier League this summer, signing former Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.

Any late attempts by the Madrid-based club to sign Nunes are set to be rejected by Manchester City however, with Paul Hirst revealing that Guardiola wants to retain the services of the midfielder for the campaign.

The Catalan boss reportedly believes that Nunes can play a part in the first-team this season, with Manchester City braced to play a record number of matches due to the expansion of the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup.

Manchester City have additionally already sanctioned the loan move of one first-team midfielder this summer, after Kalvin Phillips moved to Portman Road on a season-long loan.