Liverpool are reportedly coming back for Sporting CP midfielder Matheus Nunes, after earlier registering their interest.
Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha report that the Reds could finally land Nunes this summer. Sporting need to sell this summer to balance their books, and Nunes could be next on their ‘outgoers list’.
Nunes is valued at £42 million by Sporting, an amount Liverpool are unwilling to pay. Klopp’s side has already spent almost £80 million this summer in acquiring the likes of Darwin Nunez, Calvin Ramsay and Fabio Carvalho.
But Liverpool are ready to negotiate a deal at a lower price for the highly-rate 23-year-old midfielder. Liverpool are low on options in their midfield and their owners FSG feel Nunes could be an important addition to the side.
Matheus Nunes seen as Naby Keita replacement
While Liverpool do need reinforcements in the midfield, Matheus Nunes is also touted as their upgrade on Naby Keita. The Guinea international has failed to make a mark since moving from Leipzig in 2018.
As a result, reports have been rife since last summer that Liverpool may sell Keita to cash in on the midfielder. Moreover, with just a year left on his current deal, no talks of extension have been heard yet.
The Reds are planning to replace Keita, who has been injury prone in his four seasons with Nunes. The Portuguese could be a direct replacement of Keita since both operate as central midfielders.
Further on, Nunes is not far behind to Keita in goal contributions for their respective clubs. In his 99 appearances so far for Sporting Nunes has 7 goals and 8 assists to show, whereas Keita in his 116 games for Liverpool has 11 goals and 7 assists.
However, the Sporting midfielder outranks Keita in individual numbers from last season. Nunes managed more dribbles (81), chances created (24), tackles (42) and shots on target (9) than Keita.
Nunes’ longevity is another crucial aspect as he started Sporting’s 31 of 34 league games last season, to Keita’s 14. Certainly, the Liverpool top brass would think twice before keeping Keita and passing the chance to sign Nunes.