Newcastle tipped to launch second bid for Brazilian as new price emerges
Newcastle United will reportedly reignite their interest in Sporting midfielder Matheus Nunes this summer after failing with a bid in January.
The Magpies were desperate for reinforcements in the winter window after a dreadful run of form. Steve Bruce’s men picked up just two points from nine games while losing five consecutive matches in January. They tried to secure Nunes in a loan plus purchase deal but the Portuguese club refused to do business.
Manager Ruben Amorim was adamant that he wanted the youngster to remain at Estadio Jose Alvalade until the end of the season. And that is exactly what happened, with the 22-year-old ending up making 12 starts among 31 top-flight appearances.
Having been a squad player during the first half of the campaign, his game time increased as the season progressed. And it appears as though the north-east outfit have not forgotten about the Brazilian.
According to record (via Sport Witness), Newcastle’s ‘old interest’ in the starlet could ‘soon materialise’. And it is said that ‘contacts’, possibly between the player’s representatives and Sporting, already exist.
That could mean a summer switch and the Tynesiders are reportedly waiting to see how things play out.
Newcastle need to dig deep for Nunes
It was reported in the winter that Newcastle proposed a loan deal with an option to buy for €13m. That was a non-starter after the manager’s stance emerged but it is thought that his price is now closer to €20m.
That figure is relatively low in terms of some of the expected mega-bucks deals in the off-season. But it is still a touch pricey for a player who has sat on the bench for large parts of 2020-2021.
Transfer Chatter - Barcelona went Pep back as Manchester City focus on Premier League star, while Arsenal and Brighton are negotiating a swap deal.
Barcelona are willing let Ronald Koeman leave in order to bring back Pep Guardiola as Manchester City turn their attention to Jack Grealish, while Arsenal and Brighton remain locked in talks over a potential swap deal, all in today's transfer chatter.
It does appear as though the schemer is serious abut wanting to leave, however. There is said to be a meeting scheduled soon between Nunes’ agents and Sporting officials.
Newcastle can expect to hear the outcome of those discussion fairly soon if they are to firm up their interest with an offer. After a strong end to the campaign, Bruce knows he cannot stand still and will want to add quality.
That comes at a premium and it has been well documented that the purse strings are tight at St James’ Park. That may be another reason why a relatively low-key player is still on the club’s radar.
READ MORE: Newcastle target free agent midfield reject as alternative to Joe Willock