Manchester City midfield target refusing to train in dramatic transfer twist

Matheus Nunes has stopped training with Wolves in an attempt to force through a transfer to Manchester City.

The 25-year-old remains Manchester City’s main transfer target ahead of Friday’s deadline, with Pep Guardiola seeking to strengthen his midfield options after Ilkay Gundogan left and Kevin De Bruyne underwent surgery for a recurring hamstring injury.

Manchester City are targeting a late move for Wolves’ Matheus Nunes, after seeing a proposed deal for West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta stall, due to an FA investigation into the midfielder in relation to suspicious betting activity.

Nunes moved to Molineux for an initial £38 million last summer, signing a five-year deal and becoming a club-record transfer, moving to the Midlands from Sporting Lisbon.

Manchester City saw an opening bid of €55 million rejected last week, and reportedly submitted an improved bid for the Portugal international worth around €60m with add-ons on Sunday.

In a fresh transfer twist, David Ornstein reports that the 25-year-old has stopped training with Wolves despite the prospect of disciplinary action over his absence, should a move to the Etihad Stadium fail to materialise.

Nunes has informed Wolves of his ‘wish’ to join Manchester City during the remaining days of the window, but Gary O’Neil’s side are determined to stand firm unless a proposal meets their valuation of the midfielder, according to The Athletic.

TalkSport claim that the midfielder has gone on strike in an attempt to try and force a transfer to the Etihad Stadium, however Wolves are ‘demanding’ at least £60 million.

The Midlands club intend to bring the midfielder back into their squad after the transfer window shuts, unless a deal can be struck with the treble-winners.

Nunes could become the Blues’ fourth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Jeremy Doku, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic.

Should Manchester City complete the signing of the 25-year-old then Nunes could come up against his current club next month, with Guardiola’s side scheduled to face Wolves at Molineux on Saturday 30th September.

City, who are the only side to have won their opening three Premier League matches, beat Sheffield United 2-1 at Bramall Lane on Saturday, to move to the top of the table.