Manchester City enter decisive phase in pursuit of £60 million Premier League star as Joao Cancelo closes in on exit

Premier League champions Manchester City are entering a decisive period in negotiations for Wolves and Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes.

The former Sporting central midfielder has rapidly emerged as City’s number one transfer target in the days that remain in the ongoing summer window, with negotiations having intensified following Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring surgery.

The future of the Wolves star is one of several high-profile decisions set to be ironed out this week, alongside that of his compatriot Joao Cancelo – who is expected to seal a season-long loan away from the Etihad Stadium in the coming days.

Following days 69, 70, 71, and 72 of the 2023 summer transfer window, it’s time to bring you back up to speed with all the very latest developments!

Arrivals

Manchester City have submitted a new bid for Matheus Nunes with a package worth around €60 million with add-ons. City are confident of getting a deal done. (Fabrizio Romano)

Manchester City are ready to meet Wolves’ £60 million valuation for Matheus Nunes. (David McDonnell)

Matheus Nunes has stopped training with Wolves, and informed the club of his wish to join Manchester City. The midfielder will however face disciplinary action over his absence from training should a deal not be struck with City. Wolves are determined to stand firm unless a proposal meets their valuation. (David Ornstein, The Athletic)

Matheus Nunes did not have permission to miss Wolves training on Sunday or Monday from manager Gary O’Neil. (Mike Minay)

Manchester City’s second and latest bid for Matheus Nunes will likely be their last one to Wolves. (Fabrizio Romano)

Manchester City are working on the addition of left-back Valentin Barco ahead of competition from Brighton, Juventus, and Chelsea. City are also working on another South American target. (Simon Jones, MailSport)

Manchester City have never sent any bid or started any negotiation with Crystal Palace for Eberechi Eze – considered untouchable by Roy Hodgson and the club. A ‘crazy, crazy bid’ would be needed to even be considered, and a lot more than the reported £60/65 million. (Fabrizio Romano)

Crystal Palace are likely to offer Eberechi Eze a new contract worth around £5 million per year, with a new deal included a fixed release price. (Alan Nixon)

Departures

Joao Cancelo to FC Barcelona, Here We Go. The two clubs have agreed a loan deal with a buy-option clause included. (Fabrizio Romano)

FC Barcelona’s optional permanent transfer fee for Joao Cancelo is expected to be in the region of €25 million. (The Guardian)

Wolves could formalise their interest in Manchester City midfielder Tommy Doyle were Matheus Nunes to move to the Etihad Stadium. (James Ducker, The Telegraph)

Wolves are very keen to sign James McAtee from Manchester City, treated seperately to a proposed deal for Matheus Nunes. Ajax, Sheffield United, and Leicester also like McAtee with a move to Holland particularly appealing as a potential replacement for Mohammed Kudus. (Simon Jones, MailSport)

Manchester City are not willing to sell James McAtee as he is viewed as a player who can compete for a starting place in the long term, but they will consider a loan to a club they feel will further his development. (Simon Jones, MailSport)

James McAtee wants a return to Sheffield United on loan and hopes for Pep Guardiola’s blessing. Manchester City were ideally looking for a loan move to a top European club or a top half Premier League team. (Alan Nixon)

Kalvin Phillips has no desire to leave Manchester City despite the pending arrival of Matheus Nunes. A number of Premier League clubs have been looking into a loan while City would consider selling. (Simon Jones, MailSport)

FC Den Bosch have signed Luke Mbete on a season-long loan from Manchester City. (Official)

Mikki van Sas is now a free agent having opted not to renew his Manchester City contract, with several clubs interested including Club Brugge and Anderlecht. (Voetbal International)

Contract Renewals

No reports

Confirmed Deals

Josko Gvardiol: RB Leipzig to Manchester City, (£78 million)

Jeremy Doku: Stade Rennais to Manchester City, (£55 million)

Mateo Kovacic: Chelsea to Manchester City, (£25 million plus £5 million in add-ons)

Juanma Lillo: Al Sadd SC to Manchester City, (Unknown terms)

Inigo Dominquez: Al Sadd SC to Manchester City, (Unknown terms)

Thomas Krucken: VfB Stuttgart to Manchester City, (Unknown terms)

Spike Brits: AFC Wimbledon to Manchester City, (Unknown terms)

Harrison Parker: Manchester United to Manchester City, (Unknown terms)

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Riyad Mahrez: Manchester City to Al Ahli, (£30.4M plus £5M add-ons, Permanent)

Aymeric Laporte: Manchester City to Al Nassr, (23.5 million, Permanent)

Carlos Borges: Manchester City to Ajax, (€14M plus €5M add-ons, Permanent)

James Trafford: Manchester City to Burnley, (£15M plus £4M add-ons, Permanent)

Shea Charles: Manchester City to Southampton, (£10.5M, Permanent)

Adedire Mebude: Manchester City to KVC Westerlo, (£1.65M, Permanent)

Ilkay Gundogan: Manchester City to FC Barcelona, (Free transfer)

Enzo Maresca: Manchester City to Leicester City, (Unknown terms)

Rodolfo Borrell: Manchester City to Austin FC, (Unknown terms)

Callum Doyle: Manchester City to Leicester City, (Season-long loan, £500,000)

Maximo Perrone: Manchester City to UD Las Palmas, (Season-long loan)

Josh Wilson-Esbrand: Manchester City to Stade de Reims, (Season-long loan)

Issa Kabore: Manchester City to Luton Town, (Season-long loan)

Yan Couto: Manchester City to Girona, (Season-long loan)

Liam Delap: Manchester City to Hull City, (Season-long loan)

Luke Mbete: Manchester City to FC Den Bosch, (Season-long loan)

Kian Breckin: Manchester City to Wycombe Wanderers, (Season-long loan)

Finley Burns: Manchester City to Stevenage, (Season-long loan)

Alex Robertson: Manchester City to Portsmouth, (Season-long loan)

Filip Stevanović: Manchester City to RKC Waalwijk, (Season-long loan)

Morgan Rogers: Manchester City to Middlesbrough, (Unknown terms, Permanent)

Josh McNamara: Manchester City to Southampton, (Unknown terms, Permanent)

Cieran Slicker: Manchester City to Ipswich Town, (Unknown terms, Permanent)

Yangel Herrera: Manchester City to Girona, (Unknown terms, Permanent)

Herbie James: Manchester City to Tottenham Hotspur (Pre-Agreement, Permanent)

Benjamin Mendy: Released

Terrell Agyemang: Released

Rowan McDonald: Released

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