According to reports in Portugal, Newcastle have been trying to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes this month.
This comes from O Jogo, who report that we submitted a loan bid that included an obligation to buy the Brazilian for £10m at the end of the season.
That said, the same Portuguese outlet claim that offer has been REJECTED by the Liga NOS giants, stating that they are not interested in losing the highly-rated 22-year-old at this stage.
Nunes is a central midfielder who can also operate in a slightly more advanced No 10 role.
He’s recently made the step up from U-23’s to first team level, bagging a goal and two assists in 32 across the past 18 months.
Although we haven’t tended to shop in Portugal in recent years, he would fit into the Mike Ashley blue print, being a talented young player who could be available at a reasonable price – not that Sporting Lisbon appear to be interested in letting him go anytime soon!
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