Manchester City Lead The Race In Signing Sporting Lisbon Midfielder: Pep Looking To Bolster The Midfield | OneFootball

In a recent report, The Sun conveyed that Manchester City are reportedly leading the race to bring in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes. The report also states that Pep Guardiola is looking to bolster their midfield as Fernandinho prepares to leave Etihad at the end of this season.

Nunes’s Impressive Run with the Portuguese Club this season

Matheus Nunes is having a solid campaign at the Jose Alvalade stadium and has established himself as a key player in the Portuguese side’s midfield. The 22-year-old has contributed 7 goals with 4 of them created through assists, over 39 appearances for Sporting Lisbon across all fronts.

Although the 23-year-old hasn’t scored enough to prove his talents, he has performed spectacularly in other areas of the midfield this season by averaging 1.3 tackles, 2.5 dribbles and 2.5 long balls per 90 minutes across all fronts. He has been impressive when distributing the ball, making 85% of his passes in Portuguese top-flight football (stats via whoscored).

Sporting’s Brazilian midfielder Matheus Nunes (R) vies with Pacos de Ferreira’s Chilean midfielder Juan Delgado (L) and Pacos de Ferreira’s Portuguese forward Helder Ferreira during the Portuguese League football match between Sporting CP and FC Pacos de Ferreira at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on April 3, 2022. (Photo by CARLOS COSTA / AFP) (Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images). The 4th Official uses images provided by the following image agency: Getty Images (https://www.gettyimages.de/) and Imago Images (https://www.imago-images.de/).

Guardiola Looks To Add Competition In The Midfield Of Manchester City

Matheus Nunes can do well to secure possession back for his team and the Portugal international can make effective runs from the midfield. The attack will significantly strengthen with the addition of Nunes’s talents as he is quick on his feet and has a wide vision, so we can expect the Portuguese talent to add more bite and steel to the Skyblues’ midfield department.

Fernandinho, 37-years-old, looks to exit at the end of this season and that leaves the Etihad club shorthanded. Nunes would be a great fit and can look to give competition in the midfield area. Should the midfielder move to Etihad, he will most likely contend for a first-team position with Pep Guardiola’s midfield trio comprising the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernando Silva and Rodri.

At 23, Nunes will only get better with each season, so it would be wise of Guardiola to get him on board when the transfer window commences this summer.