Matheus Nunes refusing to train with Wolves in bid to force Man City transfer

Manchester City may be closing in on a deal for Wolves talisman Matheus Nunes after it was reported he's refusing to train and has told his current club he wants to leave

Posted Tuesday, August 29, 2023 by Dailystar.co.uk

Wolverhampton Wanderers may have seen the last of Matheus Nunes following word he's told the club he wants to join Manchester City.

The summer transfer window closes on Friday evening, and The Athletic has reported Nunes is refusing to train in order to force through a move to the Etihad. Pep Guardiola's side have already had an offer worth around £47million rejected, with Wolves thought to be seeking a sum closer to £60m in order to part ways with their star.

The west midlands outfit spent a then-club-record £38m (plus £4.2m in add-ons) to sign Nunes from Sporting CP just last year, and the player proved vital in helping Wolves to a 13th-place finish in the Premier League. Guardiola was complimentary of the 25-year-old when he was still at Sporting, and it appears that admiration has only increased since Nunes move to England.

City's pursuit of a new midfield asset has ramped up since talismanic talent Kevin De Bruyne was sidelined by a hamstring injury. The Belgian is expected to miss around four months following surgery to correct the issue, and it appears Nunes tops Guardiola's list of alternatives.

City were strongly linked with a move for West Ham whiz Lucas Paqueta, but that hunt has gone cold since it emerged the Brazilian is being investigated for alleged betting breaches.

It's reported City are expected to come back with a second bid for Nunes despite seeing their initial approach for the player rebuffed. The playmaker's most recent appearance came in a 4-1 defeat to Brighton earlier in August, where two late yellow cards saw him dismissed, missing Saturday's 1-0 win away to Everton as a result.

Wolves face relatively little pressure to cash in considering Nunes' contract isn't due to expire until 2027 (plus the option of an extra year). However, the player's refusal to train could alter their stance in the coming days.

According to The Athletic, Nunes will face disciplinary action being being brought back into the squad once the transfer window closes. Wolves are reportedly standing firm over their valuation of the player, represented by Gestifute, the agency founded by super-agent Jorge Mendes, who has worked as an advisor for Wolves.

Manager Gary O'Neil already saw one key member of his midfield leave this summer when Ruben Neves joined Saudi Pro League side Ruben Neves in a £47m deal. Adequately replacing another valued member of the engine room so close to the transfer window deadline could prove problematic.

Guardiola poured praise on Nunes during his days at Sporting and complimented the player after City stormed to a 5-0 Champions League victory over the Portuguese outfit in February 2022.

"Matheus Nunes is one of the best players in the world today," said the Catalan coach at the time. "Despite the difficulties and some mistakes, I have to be very satisfied because we took a big step towards the next round. Nunes is one of the best at the moment."

The Premier League titleholders have already replaced the departed Ilkay Gundogan by signing Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea earlier this summer. Guardiola was also pleased to see Bernardo Silva sign a new contract at City this week following talk of an exit, but De Bruyne's absence is one substantial setback the club wasn't counting on.