Everton are reportedly eyeing a summer move for 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder Matheus Nunes, who is impressing at Sporting Lisbon.
According to a report by Portuguese outlet Record, Premier League side Everton are keeping a close watch on Sporting Lisbon star Matheus Nunes.
Signed from Estoril in 2019, the 22-year-old Brazilian has become an important player for the Green and Whites. He scored three goals and provided two assists in 31 appearances as Sporting won their first league title in 19 years.
A central midfielder by trade, Nunes can be deployed both in an attacking and defensive capacity. This two-way ability makes him a versatile player to deploy in the middle of the park. While the likes of Pedro Goncalves and Nuno Mendes have stolen the limelight at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, Nunes has quietly gone about carving a niche for himself.
His performances have not gone unnoticed on Merseyside as Everton continue to keep track of his progress. This is not the first time that the Toffees have been linked with the player. The fact that their transfer priorities remain unchanged is a testament to the long-term vision that Marcel Brands has for the club.
The Dutchman’s eye for talent is well known, and Nunes could emerge as a shrewd signing for Everton in the seasons to come. A rather industrious player who is not afraid to get stuck in, he will add dynamism to new manager Rafael Benitez’s midfield.
The 22-year-old can be considered a technically better version of Abdoulaye Doucoure. A physically competent player whose athleticism is top-notch, Nunes’s silky skills will make him an upgrade over the Frenchman in the Everton setup. Not only is the player a good reader of the game, but complements it with his impressive array of passing and ball control.
While he may not be the most intimidating of midfielders physically, his pace has seen him get out of a pickle more than once. There are still a few chinks for the Brazilian to iron out, and a move to the right club could be what he needs. With Gylfi Sigurdsson facing an uncertain future at Goodison Park, Nunes would be an excellent addition to Benitez’s side. A shrewd operator, the Spanish manager, could help the Brazilian step up his game.
Everton do not have the pulling power of Liverpool or the money of Manchester City to attract the best prospects in the game. What they can do is steal a march on their rivals to poach upcoming players before they make it big. Nunes is just one such player and could become a household name in the years to come. Selling them later on for higher prices could help keep the cycle going and also see them land a trophy or two.
Sporting are not averse to selling him, and the Toffees must do all they can to ensure he lands up at Goodison Park. It could be a decision that pays off handsomely in the years to come.
