Atletico Madrid considers last-minute offer for Manchester City's Matheus Nunes. The Spanish club, having already acquired Julian Alvarez from the Premier League title holders, may now pursue their midfielder as well
According to a report from The Athletic, Manchester City has not yet received any formal offers for Matheus Nunes, their 25-year-old Portuguese midfielder. The club is also yet to make a definitive decision regarding his potential departure before the transfer window closes later this month. This situation has caught the attention of Atletico Madrid, who are now contemplating a loan move for Nunes.
Interestingly, this interest from Atletico comes on the heels of their recent acquisition of striker Julian Alvarez from Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side. This connection between the two clubs could potentially facilitate negotiations for Nunes.
Nunes' journey to Manchester City was a high-profile one, with the midfielder making the switch from Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium last summer for a substantial fee of £53 million (equivalent to $67 million). However, his time at City has been marked by limited opportunities. In the previous season, Nunes only started seven out of the 17 Premier League games in which he featured, suggesting that he's struggled to cement a regular place in Guardiola's star-studded lineup.
Recent matches have further highlighted Nunes' peripheral role in the squad. He was an unused substitute in City's 2-0 victory over Chelsea and only managed to get on the pitch as a late substitute in the team's 4-1 win against Ipswich Town. These limited appearances have fueled speculation about his future at the club.
Adding to the complexity of Nunes' situation is the re-signing of Ilkay Gundogan by Manchester City. This move potentially further crowds the midfield and could push Nunes further down the pecking order. In light of this, a loan move away from the Etihad might be a prudent decision for Nunes, offering him the opportunity to secure regular playing time and continue his development.
It's worth noting that Nunes' career path has seen significant moves in recent years. Before joining Manchester City, he had a brief but impactful stint with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Nunes arrived at Wolves from Sporting Lisbon in 2022 and quickly became an important player for the Midlands club. During his single season at Molineux, he made 41 appearances across all competitions, impressing enough to earn his big-money move to City.
If Nunes and Manchester City do decide that a temporary move away is the best course of action, they face a tight deadline. The transfer window is set to close on August 30th, leaving just a few days for any potential deal to be struck. This adds an element of urgency to any negotiations that might be taking place behind the scenes.
Interestingly, the day after the transfer deadline passes, Manchester City are scheduled to face West Ham United in a Premier League fixture. This timing could add an extra layer of intrigue to Nunes' situation, as any move would need to be completed before he potentially features in this match.
Overall, Nunes' situation exemplifies the challenges faced by players at top clubs like Manchester City, where competition for places is fierce and regular playing time is never guaranteed, even for high-profile signings. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Nunes remains at City to fight for his place or seeks opportunities elsewhere to gain more consistent playing time.
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