Wolverhampton Wanderers delivered some exciting news to their supporters late on Wednesday night as they unveiled the club-record signing of Matheus Nunes from Sporting CP in a £42.2 million deal.
The 23-year-old Portuguese midfielder has put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Molineux with the option of a further year. The record fee that Wolves have paid for him has surpassed the £35 million they paid Porto for compatriot Fabio Silva in 2020.
He becomes the West Midland side’s third signing of the summer following compatriot Goncalo Guedes from Valencia and Nathan Collins from Burnley.
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His arrival adds quality and depth to Bruno Lage’s midfield which he has been in need of for some time, and following the injury to Joao Moutinho on the eve of the new Premier League season, it could not have come at a better time.
Nunes is a shrewd operator as a number eight in the midfield and offers a different dynamic in the centre of the park at Wolves midfield as they struggled for goals last term, scoring 38 in the Premier League, only scoring more than the three relegated teams.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nunes came through at Portuguese parish town club Ericeirense, who are set to receive £1 million from the transfer. He joined Sporting in 2019 and went on to make a total of 101 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals while registering nine assists. He has featured for the Portugal national team, winning eight caps and scoring one goal since making his debut in 2021.
“I’m very excited. For me, I could play tomorrow already, but I can’t because the game is Saturday, but I’m looking forward to it,” Nunes told the club website.
“I think the club itself [convinced him] and also I spoke to some of my teammates because I play with them for the national team. The coach as well, he really wanted me, and I wanted to play in the Premier League. I think it’s the right next step for me and I’m very happy to be here.
“Ruben, Moutinho, I spoke to all of them and asked them stuff, and they all said great stuff about the club – Sa as well, so I’m glad to be here.
“For sure. I’ve wanted to come here for a long time now. This is the best league in the world for sure and, like I said, it’s the best step for me and I’m ready.”
