LIVERPOOL have pulled out of the race to sign Matheus Nunes, according to reports.
And that looks set to pave the way for Wolves to seal a £51million transfer for the midfielder.
The Reds were heavily linked with the Sporting Lisbon star amid their injury woes.
Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones are all currently sidelined for Jurgen Klopp.
But the Daily Mail report Liverpool are no longer pursuing Nunes.
Now Bruno Lage will try and convince the 23-year-old star to choose Molineux after he impressed against the Premier League side in pre-season.
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However, it is said Wolves “doesn’t appeal” to him just yet.
The eight-cap Portugal international – also linked with Chelsea and Leeds this summer – has a £51m release clause in his contract at the Estadio Jose Alvalade which runs until 2026.
Nunes joined Sporting in 2019 and has racked up 100 appearances for the club, chipping in with seven goals.
He is a top-class No8 box-to-box midfielder, combining his fine passing range with an intense pressing game.
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The ace shone in the Champions League last season, impressing Pep Guardiola in the match against Manchester City – despite the 5-0 defeat for Nunes and Sporting.
Guardiola said: “I would say that Matheus Nunes is one of the best players in the world today.”
Wolves have made the loan of Hwang Hee-chan from RB Leipzig permanent while Nathan Collins and Goncalo Guedes have also moved to the Black Country this summer.
Lage’s side host Fulham on Saturday – with the travelling Cottagers fans facing a headache to get back to London afterwards due to strikes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
