Matheus Nunes, a midfielder for Wolves, is the subject of an enhanced offer from Manchester City, but the club is ready to back out if the asking price is too high.
On Thursday, it was made public that Gary O’Neil’s team had turned down City’s initial bid of £47 million for the Portuguese star.
The Treble winners now need another middle-of-the-park alternative after Kevin De Bruyne’s catastrophic injury and Ilkay Gundogan’s summer transfer to Barcelona.
And Nunes of Wolves, who stood out during their recent loss at Manchester United, has become a target.
After City and Sporting squared off in the Champions League a year ago, Pep Guardiola showered the Portugal international with accolades. He later moved to Molineux for £38 million. Joao Cancelo’s transfer from City to Barcelona is now being organized by the 24-year-old’s agent, Jorge Mendes.
Lucas Paqueta of West Ham was being considered by Guardiola’s team, but they have already given up on signing the Brazil international after Mail Sport exclusively reported he was under investigation for possible betting violations.
Nunes has undeniable skill, as shown by City’s interest, but since joining the West Midlands team for a club-record amount last summer, he has only managed one goal and one assist in 41 games.
The midfielder received two cheap yellow cards during Saturday’s embarrassing 4-1 loss to Brighton, the second of which came after he shoved both Adam Webster and Pervis Estupinan to the ground. He was also sent off.
Nevertheless, losing Nunes would undoubtedly be another devastating blow in what appears to be a turbulent season for Wolves, since the team has already lost a number of well-known players this summer.
Raul Jimenez, a striker for Fulham, cost £5.5 million. Ruben Neves, who joined Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia for a club-record £47 million, was acquired by Leicester for £7.5 million.
Along with on-field upheaval, Wolves is still experiencing off-field turmoil.
After Julen Lopetegui quit just days before the start of the Premier League season, Gary O’Neil took over as manager.
Last season, Lopetegui led the struggling team out of obscurity and up to 13th place in the Premier League.
This summer, the 56-year-old gave the impression that he was unhappy with the club, acknowledging that he had “no control” over their transfer strategy while asserting that they “need more players.”
Eberechi Eze, a star for Crystal Palace, is reportedly also being taken into consideration by the Treble winners, according to Mail Sport.
Since senior scouts were so pleased by the Palace midfielder’s control of games for the Eagles, he has been on City’s radar for the past six months.