The man who discovered Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes has claimed that he’d be the perfect player for Liverpool.
As per the Liverpool Echo, Pedro Alves was the sporting director who signed Nunes for Portuguese side Estoril back in 2018. And in an interview with the paper today, Alves has given his thoughts on his old player’s potential move to Liverpool.
“Matheus always had that ‘special something’. He caught our eye when he played for Ericeirense, then he joined our U23s and we always knew this player would have a very successful career,” he said. “Matheus has a hunger and passion for the game which, connected to his natural talent and abilities, will help him reach Champions League contenders in the future.”
Alves went on to detail exactly the kind of player Nunes is, and what he could bring to this current Liverpool team.
“Matheus is a centre-midfielder, a very physical and talented box-to-box (player). He has the ability to pick up the ball in the defence and move up in the pitch, creating several opportunities and finding unique chances for his team-mates,” he explained. “He can dribble his opponents with ease and shoots magnificently from outside the box. He is already a very complete player, he can definitely strengthen Liverpool’s midfield and bring a much needed competitiveness to the team.”
With Liverpool reportedly targeting Nunes for next summer, it would seem as though they agree. From what we saw of the 24-year-old across the two games against the Reds this month, Alves paints an accurate picture of him.
Nunes still bedding in at Wolves
Before Nunes potentially joins Liverpool, he still has a job to do at Wolves. Julen Lopetegui’s side are currently battling it out at the foot of the Premier League table.
It has been an unexpectedly difficult season for Wolves. But despite this, Alves sees the club as the perfect place for Nunes’ development.
“I see Matheus playing in Man City, Liverpool or Real Madrid, just to name a few. However, he is still young and at the current moment of his career, he needs playing time. I think Wolves are the perfect fit to adapt to the Premier League. They are a magnificent club, with a beautiful stadium and brilliant atmosphere,” he said.
“Wolves also have a large Portuguese contingent and a coach with positive ideas. I believe Matheus will thrive at Wolves and in short time he will be ready for the Champions League contenders that I mentioned before.”
It’s difficult to get a sense of the plan behind Nunes moving to Liverpool. He was on the market last summer and available for a decent price. They clearly really like him and are seemingly plotting a move very soon. So why let him go to Wolves?
Well, as Alves says, maybe he wasn’t quite ready for such a step from Sporting. It’s been claimed that Liverpool thought as much when weighing up a move in the summer. With some Premier League football under his belt, he may now be a more attractive prospect to Jurgen Klopp. Let’s just hope that Wolves play ball.