According to reports, Chelsea are prepared to move forward with a £43 million (€50 million) deal for Matheus Nunes to complete their first deal of the Todd Boehly era. Some Portuguese news sources, also reported that Chelsea are prepared to “attack” the market and submit a bid for the Sporting Lisbon midfielder.
Wolves are rumored to be interested in Nunes, but the sources claimed that a transfer to Molineux “doesn’t appeal,” leaving Chelsea to consider their options.
Interestingly, Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute agency represents Nunes, and it was Mendes who reportedly met with Boehly recently to discuss a possible move for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Thomas Tuchel is yet to make a single addition to his team this summer despite interest in defender Jules Kounde, forwards Raheem Sterling and Raphinha, as well as mounting speculation around Cristiano Ronaldo and now Nunes.
The Portugal player would be a wise investment for the club’s midfield options if new Chelsea owner Boehly wants to have an instant impact on the team this summer. The 23-year-old central midfielder shone so brilliantly during the last season’s UEFA Champions League competition and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola even singled him out for praise. ‘Sporting are a fantastic team, they are the champions of Portugal, which have a very strong league, with Porto and Benfica, they change the ball well, they have fast and intelligent players,’ Guardiola said.
🚨 Chelsea are set to make a bid for Sporting Lisbon’s Matheus Nunes worth €45M plus €5M.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 6, 2022
The offer may even be submitted as early as today.
(Source: @abolapt) pic.twitter.com/rXYlCdu6af
Chelsea are aggressively trying to upgrade their team this summer in an effort to catch up with Man City and Liverpool. Concerns that Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt would choose to move to Bayern Munich over a move to London have increased Chelsea’s need for Nathan Ake of Manchester City.
Chelsea are willing to pay a premium of approximately £68 million above the Germans. De Ligt was one of the top transfer targets for the Blues, and they included Timo Werner in the deal, but they were unable to reach an agreement with Juventus. Tuchel is eager to sign a prominent center-back after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen,
The Blues are also searching for a center forward after the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan on a loan deal. Lukaku returned to Chelsea last season but decided to leave after having a poor first season at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City’s winger Raheem Sterling is a top target for Thomas Tuchel although they’re interested in a move for Robert Lewandowski if he doesn’t join Barcelona this summer.
