Atletico Madrid are reportedly eyeing a move for Manchester City midfielder Matheus Nunes.
According to The Athletic, the La Liga side are considering signing the Portugal international on a one-year loan deal. If the move goes through, Nunes will become the second City player to join Atletico this summer, following the recent big money transfer of Julian Alvarez. Additionally, several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Everton, and Chelsea, have shown interest in the 25-year-old midfielder during this transfer window.
A challenging tenure at Manchester so far
Nunes has endured a challenging year at the Etihad Stadium since joining Manchester City. Despite a promising start to his career at Sporting Clube de Portugal, where he gained recognition for his strong performances, his time under Pep Guardiola has been challenging. Guardiola appears to be willing to let Nunes go, having lost faith in him. With Ilkay Gundogan’s recent homecoming, Guardiola is said to be happy with options he currently has in midfield. .
Before his move to Manchester City, Nunes enjoyed a successful stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers, who signed him for a club-record fee of £38 million. The Portuguese midfielder quickly adapted to English football, impressing with his ball-carrying abilities and direct style of play. Following his impressive debut season at Wolves, several clubs expressed interest in signing him, but it was Manchester City who ultimately secured his services for a fee of £53 million.
Matheus Nunes and Man City a mismatch of styles
However, Nunes has struggled to find his footing at Manchester City. He has started only seven Premier League games and has failed to make a significant impact when given opportunities. His style of play, which involves making direct runs into the box and carrying the ball with speed, has clashed with City’s more patient and tactically fluid approach. This mismatch has reportedly frustrated Guardiola, making it unlikely that Nunes will play a significant role this season.
A move to Atletico Madrid appears to be the best solution for both the player and the club. Manchester City will hope to recoup a fee close to the £53 million they paid for Nunes, either this summer or next, to minimise their loss. Nunes on the other hand will aim to restart his career at a club which suits his playing style.
