Portuguese newspaper Record today features a front page a story saying Sporting could sign Manuel Ugarte to replace Matheus Nunes this summer.
The Lions are said to be looking to sign the Famalicão player in case they lose the Brazilian midfielder, who has English clubs ‘closing the siege’ for him.
It turns out there’s only one Premier League side who are named in the story, and that’s Newcastle United.
O Jogo recalls that the Magpies tried to sign Matheus Nunes back in January, willing to pay €1m for a loan deal, plus €12m on a future purchase. Since Sporting were focused on winning the league title, which they did, they chose to keep the player in their squad.
Record doesn’t name any other interested clubs and given their emphasis in the interest from English side, we can only guess they’re talking about Newcastle United coming back for him.
Matheus Nunes made 39 appearances for Sporting this season, and despite being mainly a central midfielder, he was often used as a defensive midfielder and a right wing-back as well, mostly being brought on from the bench.
The agents of the 22-year-old are expected to meet the Lions’ board next week and discuss the next steps for his future.
