Abel Xavier has claimed it's "only a matter of time" before reported Liverpool transfer target Matheus Nunes leaves Sporting Lisbon.
Nunes has made 99 appearances and scored 7 goals for the Primera Liga side, and is also heavily linked with Wolves.
Xavier, speaking to Portuguese news outlet Eleven, stated: “I believe that Sporting will not be able to hold a player of this size due to his quality, which means he would adapt to any top English team."
“It is normal, given the quality of player, not only of Liverpool, but also Manchester City, who may eventually lose some players in that position, that these two teams may be thinking about Matheus Nunes.
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“His departure from Sporting is a matter of time.”
It would appear a decision from Liverpool is needed though on whether they really want to pursue the £40 million-rated player.
The Reds have appeared reluctant to sign a new midfielder this transfer window, instead prioritising a potential pursuit of Jude Bellingham next summer.
But stylistically, Nunes is a very different player to Bellingham.
He is a deep-lying playmaker, more comparable to Thiago Alcantara than Jordan Henderson.
Henderson and Bellingham meanwhile are more so box to box players.
And it’d be useful for Liverpool to have another player cut out of the same cloth as Thiago given how unique the Spaniard’s profile is in the Liverpool squad.
When Thiago is unavailable for Liverpool, his technical quality in the engine room is dearly missed and the team’s overall performance tends to drop.
The signing of Nunes would help to nullify this issue. He could initially act as an understudy for Thiago, learning from him along the way, and eventually succeed him in the starting XI.
Liverpool would be sensible to push for the signing of Matheus Nunes. At 23 years old, he’s only going to get better, and signing him wouldn’t impact the pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
Topics: Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Robert Worthington