West Ham United

West Ham United

Premier League • England

West Ham transfer attempts knocked back by Liverpool target Nunes with other ideas in mind

Matheus Nunes, Portugal, June 2022.

Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes has reportedly rebuffed attempts from West Ham to sign him, as he does not want to play for the club.

Nunes has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time. Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Wolves and West Ham have all been named as potential suitors at one time or another.

Of late, it has just been Liverpool and West Ham that have appeared to be in the mix. However, Liverpool’s reported attempts to snare the Portuguese have been dismissed recently.

As such, West Ham have appeared to be in the clear to land the midfielder.

Unfortunately for the Hammers, it appears their attempts to sign the star have failed. The Daily Mail reports that Nunes has rejected their advances, and ‘made clear’ he did not want to join them.

Those claims are backed up by Hammers boss David Moyes.

“We made a bid for him but he chose not to come,” he said, via The Athletic West Ham correspondent Roshane Thomas.

There have also been reports of West Ham pursuing former Manchester United forward Memphis Depay. However, Moyes has refuted those.

“It’s not us,” the manager said.

It remains to be seen whether the Hammers will complete any more business before the end of the window.

West Ham window successful despite Matheus Nunes snub

West Ham can categorise their summer transfer dealings as successful, despite the fact that Nunes rejected their advances. Indeed, they have signed five players, including Maxwel Cornet and Gianluca Scamacca.

Both of those signings are good ones – especially the latter, given West Ham have had only one recognised senior striker in their squad since Sebastien Haller left in January 2021.

Cornet also showed his quality in England last season, while he was at Burnley. The Ivorian contributed to 11 goals in all competitions, and could have more of an impact in a better side.

Nunes might have made a good signing for a number of reasons. He would have surely improved the quality of the Hammers’ midfield, and should Declan Rice leave, he could fill his role well.

However, West Ham should still be happy with the business they have conducted, without the snare of Nunes.

Could Matheus Nunes solve Liverpool's midfield problem?

Could Matheus Nunes solve Liverpool's midfield problem?

Liverpool have turned their attention to Matheus Nunes as a potential Jude Bellingham alternative.