Manchester City have reportedly identified Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes as a potential target ahead of this summer's transfer window.
The 23-year-old has been a key player for the Portuguese giants this season, featuring in 42 games across all competitions, including the 5-0 first-leg defeat against the Citizens in the Champions League round of 16 last month.
According to Record, via the Manchester Evening News, Pep Guardiola is an admirer of Nunes and believes he has the credentials to operate as ether a defensive midfielder or in a more advanced-midfield role.
The report adds that Nunes has a €60m (£50m) release clause, but Sporting are prepared to receive this figure in bonus-related instalments should they agree to a sale this summer.
If City are unwilling to match Sporting's valuation, then they could potentially include right-back Pedro Porro – who is currently on loan with the Primeira Liga holders – in part exchange.
Record claims that Sporting are keen to make Porro's temporary deal permanent this summer and are prepared to pay €8.5m (£7.1m), but negotiations have hit a stumbling block as City would like a €20m (£16.7m) buy-back clause included in the deal.
Nunes, who has been capped three times by the Portugal national team, is under contract at the Estadio Jose Alvalade until June 2026.
Oliver Thomas
