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Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O'Neil expecting Manchester City to fail with Matheus Nunes bid

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 30 August 2023

Wolves boss O'Neil expecting Man City to fail with Nunes bid

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil says that he expects Matheus Nunes to remain at Molineux, despite interest from Manchester City.

Head coach Gary O'Neil has insisted that he "fully expects" Matheus Nunes to still be at Wolverhampton Wanderers come the end of the week.

Last week, reports began to emerge that Manchester City had made an approach for the Portugal international, an alternative to Lucas Paqueta who they tried and failed to sign from West Ham United.

Wolves immediately rejected the first bid from the Premier League champions and that has remained their stance with other offers said to have been made over the coming days.

Nunes has taken it upon himself to stop training with Wolves in an effort to force a transfer to the Etihad Stadium, a development which has since been confirmed by O'Neil.

Nevertheless, speaking after Wolves thrashed Blackpool by a 5-0 scoreline in the EFL Cup second round on Tuesday night, the Englishman feels that the 25-year-old will remain in the West Midlands.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil after win over Everton on August 26, 2023. © Reuters

Speaking to reporters, as quoted by BBC Sport, O'Neil said: "He's not with the group at the moment, his choice.

"After the bid from Manchester City he decided it was best for him to not to be with the group. Club policy, and how we deal with things like that, is set in place.

"As far as I'm aware there's been no improved bid. Matheus Nunes is still our player, we have a long contract still with him and at this moment I fully expect him to be here come September 2.

"The next few days will be key of course and conversations will take place that will be private between me and Matheus and I'm sure the situation will be resolved."

Sasa Kalajdzic celebrates scoring for Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 26, 2023 © Reuters

In Nunes's absence, Wolves have recorded victories over Everton on Saturday and the Seasiders three days later, and there have been suggestions that O'Neil will be able to add to his squad before Friday's transfer deadline.

A centre-back and central midfielder - if Nunes leaves - will be on the club's radar, while it has been widely reported that Paraguayan teenager Enso Gonzalez will be signing over the coming days.

Having allowed Goncalo Guedes to return to Benfica on loan, Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs has acknowledged that space has been created on the wage bill for at least one new arrival.

Nevertheless, the sale of Nunes, should it go through in a deal that would be worth in excess of £50m, would allow O'Neil to stamp his own mark on the senior squad having initially been under the impression that incomings would be unlikely due to the club's issues with FFP.