Liverpool’s former midfield target has agreed on a deal to sign for Wolves in the last 24 hours, but have the Reds missed out?
Following months of speculation, Wolves have won the race for Sporting’s Matheus Nunes.
Liverpool had been linked initially and fans were excited about the prospect of another midfielder coming into their squad but, unfortunately, that is no longer the case.
With the transfer all but confirmed, have Liverpool missed out and could it cost them down the line this season?
Matheus Nunes has accepted Wolves proposal, here we go! Full agreement finally completed also on personal terms, €50m fee [add-ons included] was already agreed 24h ago with Sporting. 🚨🛩🇵🇹 #WWFC
Medicals scheduled in England in order to get it signed. Huge signing for Wolves. pic.twitter.com/Rh7gqTHXt1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 16, 2022
Nunes agrees to Wolves move
The Portuguese midfielder had initially turned down Wolves earlier in the window, but seemingly he was holding out for a top club like Liverpool, Manchester City or Chelsea to come for him.
Given that it never happened, perhaps Nunes’ head was dead set on joining the Premier League and the offer from Wolves sees him paid more to play in a more popular and tougher league.
The lure of a tight Portuguese contingent at the Midlands club was perhaps enough to tempt him as he turns his back on Champions League football ahead of the Qatar World Cup in the winter.
His quality will no doubt stand out at Wolves where he should instantly become one of their stand-out stars.
This move, however, will see him experience more eyeballs on him than ever before and it could lead to an in-league move to a top club within a few years if he impresses – a Liverpool move could still happen in the future.
MATHEUS NUNES, TAKE A BOW!
🚀🚀🚀
An incredible strike tonight vs Rio Ave!pic.twitter.com/UHdsruXrDN
— Próxima Jornada (@ProximaJornada1) August 13, 2022
Have Liverpool missed out?
Fans may believe so, given their injury issues with Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones, they wanted to bring someone reliable with quality who could play most weeks and they’ve let it slip between their fingers here.
Reports from Portugal seemed to confirm their interest, but James Pearce of the Athletic quashed any rumours that the Reds were ever truly interested in signing the 23-year-old.
With questions over a 36-year-old James Milner, injury-prone Naby Keita and ageing Jordan Henderson suggest a new midfielder is needed – with Liverpool already dropping four points in the title race due to their rotational midfield options.
LFC “waiting for Bellingham” is a flawed concept.They will need 2 midfield bodies imo. Bonafide starter in the attacking RCM role. A controller (on & off-the-ball) in the LCM role due to Thiago/Keita availability,which is what Tchouaméni would’ve been. 1 midfield buy in 4 years.
— Raj Chohan (@rajsinghchohan) August 16, 2022
One midfield signing in four years has left them shortchanged now given that their midfield isn’t as fresh or durable as it once was.
We know the style of play Jurgen Klopp likes and that intensity over time takes its toll on players – especially after last season where they played the maximum amount of matches across the season.
Liverpool should still be looking to sign a midfielder if they want to challenge for the biggest honours – could it be this title-winning experienced midfielder (that we covered) who Liverpool are highly linked with?
