Bruno Fernandes has spoken about his frustration at Manchester United allowing Matheus Nunes to join Premier League rivals Wolves.
United’s signing of Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro – which was confirmed on Friday evening – finally ended their summer-long pursuit of a midfielder. Negotiations had previously broken down with Adrien Rabiot of Juventus while Frenkie de Jong now looks likely to stay at Barcelona.
Nunes had become Bruno Lage’s third summer signing at Wolves, following defender Nathan Collins and Goncalo Guedes, who arrived from Valencia earlier this month. Portuguese outfit Sporting CP had been keen to raise funds despite also selling his midfield partner, Joao Palhinha, to Fulham earlier this summer.
The £38million (rising to £43million) Wolves have initially paid Sporting sees the talented midfielder become the club’s most expensive ever signing - eclipsing the £35million paid for Fabio Silva two summers ago. The 23-year-old midfielder had been the Midlands side’s priority target all summer and boss Lage has landed his man.
A series of Premier League clubs had been linked with a summer move for Nunes with the midfielder's preferred destination this summer thought to be a Champions League club, although he eventually settled on a move to Molineux.
Nunes made his Portugal debut last year and has since gone on to appear a further seven times, scoring once for his national side. A versatile midfielder, he will join compatriots Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, as well as Leander Dendoncker in vying for a place in the Wolves engine room.
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Fernandes told Portuguese media outlet Record : “I've already talked to him. I've already told him that he should have come here (to United) and not there (to Wolves). I'm very happy for him.
“He's going to experience the best league in the world, he's going to have players beside him with a lot of quality, like Rúben (Sa) and João (Moutinho), who will teach him a lot. They are two experienced players.
“Matheus is doing incredible things. He has an incredible scope for growth, he is a humble, hardworking kid and I'm sure he will probably explode in the Premier League and will show his qualities. Because for his qualities Matheus was not made for the Premier League, but rather the Premier League was made for Matheus."
