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Everton Nunes deal hinging on Benitez approval

By Matt Townsend

BRAGA, PORTUGAL - APRIL 25: Matheus Nunes of Sporting CP looks on during the Liga NOS match between SC Braga and Sporting CP at Estadio Municipal de Braga on April 25, 2021 in Braga, Portugal. Sporting stadiums around Portugal remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BRAGA, PORTUGAL - APRIL 25: Matheus Nunes of Sporting CP looks on during the Liga NOS match between SC Braga and Sporting CP at Estadio Municipal de Braga on April 25, 2021 in Braga, Portugal. Sporting stadiums around Portugal remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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A prospective deal to take Brazilian midfielder Matheus Nunes from Sporting Lisbon to Everton is waiting on Rafa Benitez giving it a green light before the deal can be done.

This would seem an obvious fact of course, however there are situations in which a club can sign a player without the manager’s full approval. This has probably happened at Everton in the recent past as well.

I’m thinking in particular of deals for players such as Moise Kean who was very much a Marcel Brands signing and one I’m not sure then manager Marco Silva wanted.

The uneasy situaiton with Kean and Silva’s reluctance to give him opportunities perhaps contributed to the player’s struggle to settle and ultimately his move to PSG on loan last season, which has now left his future very much in doubt.

The relationship between Brands and Benitez is going to be key to how well things are going to go as the Blues embark on yet another season with a new manager and one who is under unique pressure because of his past.

While the Toffees were searching for Ancelotti’s successor last month there were recurrent stories that the club were also working on the transfer of Nunes.

The young 22-year-old midfielder is a highly-regarded talent who has attracted attention with his performances over the past year or so. He fits that Brands’ profile of player to a tee.

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The Sporting player looks a fine prospect and one who while still developing, could offer another important attacking option. In addition, his value will increase further as he matures and improves.

Nunes generally plays in the centre of midfield although it looks as though he could also operate from a wide position and particularly enjoys carrying the ball forward, dribbling and committing opponents.

Such qualities would certainly be useful to this Everton team and give the new manager another attacking option.

Whether all this talk of Nunes is based on anything more than just paper talk and speculation is an open question as it usually is.

But time is ticking on and Everton need to start getting moving in the transfer market with a pre-season tournament in the States to come and the start of the new season only a month away.

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