Chelsea are reportedly set to launch an offer of €45 million, plus €5 million in variables, to sign Matheus Nunes from Sporting CP.
According to Portuguese publication A Bola, Chelsea have emerged as a surprise entrant in the race to sign Sporting CP midfielder Matheus Nunes and are ready to make an offer for the 23-year-old.
Nunes came through the ranks at Ericeirense before joining Estoril Praia in the summer of 2018. Only six months later, the midfielder moved to Sporting, initially linking up with the Portuguese side’s Under-23 setup. He made his first-team debut in 2020 and has since been a regular in Ruben Amorim’s side, chalking up 99 appearances while managing a direct goal-contribution tally of 15 (seven goals, eight assists).
Nunes’s growth in this Sporting side was praised by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola last season, following which links to the Premier League champions surfaced. Following that, the likes of Wolves, Everton and Newcastle United had also joined the race for the 23-year-old midfielder, with Chelsea the latest name being linked with him.
Chelsea have been linked with a host of names in the transfer market this summer following the change of ownership but are yet to make any new signings. They are believed to be closing in on the capture of Manchester City duo Raheem Sterling and Nathan Ake. However, more incomings will be expected, with the Blues needing new faces across all areas of the pitch, including midfield.
N’Golo Kante and Jorginho have entered the final year of their respective contracts, and the former has endured some fitness issues over the past year. Saul Niguez’s loan deal has expired, and he is back at Atletico Madrid, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley are likely to depart this summer.
So, even though Billy Gilmour and Conor Gallagher have returned to Stamford Bridge following their loan spells, another quality midfield addition would not go amiss. It had led to links with Declan Rice, but West Ham United have no intentions of selling their prized asset, forcing Chelsea to look elsewhere.
Nunes, to that end, has seemingly emerged as a prospective target for Chelsea, and the Blues are ready to launch a bid for the midfielder. As per the report, Thomas Tuchel’s side will offer Sporting a fixed sum of €45 million and another €5 million in bonus payments.
Chelsea’s Premier League rivals, Wolves, are also interested in Nunes and have been in talks with Sporting over a deal. However, the move has stalled due to their inability to sell Ruben Neves. Furthermore, the Blues’ ability to offer him UEFA Champions League football further gives them an edge over Bruno Lage’s side if they are serious about signing the 23-year-old this summer.
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