Man City turn transfer attention to long-term Liverpool target who would cost 'huge fee'

Manchester City's hunt for a new midfield signing has led them to a highly-rated player that Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have long admired - but he won't come cheap

Posted Thursday, August 24, 2023 by Dailystar.co.uk

Manchester City have reportedly turned their midfield transfer attention to long-term Liverpool target Matheus Nunes.

The reigning Premier League champions are looking to add an extra body in the middle of the park before the summer window slams shut in nine days' time.

Etihad chiefs had focused in on Lucas Paqueta, but his £85million price tag plus an FA investigation into potential betting breaches from the West Ham star have curtailed that interest.

According to The Athletic, they only have a "small pool" of options - and the next they're exploring is Nunes, who has been admired at Anfield for some time.

The Reds were linked with the highly-rated Portugal international, 24, last year before he completed his move from Sporting Lisbon to Wolves, which cost them a club-record fee of £38m plus £4.2m in add-ons.

It was then rather oddly claimed that a clause had been inserted in the deal which would have allowed Liverpool to sign him this summer for £44m. Further reports suggested that had been removed back in April.

As for City's interest, Sky Sports say it would take a "huge fee" to tempt Wolves into selling now, while talkSPORT add that sum would need to be in excess of £60m to test their resolve so late in the window.

City may do just that, though, given the west Midlands club's financial situation which has meant new recruits have so far been limited - which contributed to Julen Lopetegui's untimely exit before the season got underway.

Accepting Nunes' exit would mean they'd be able to strengthen in a number of positions for new manager Gary O'Neil. Despite a positive performance against Manchester United in the opening fixture, he watched his side get demolished by Brighton at the weekend.