Wolves saw Matheus Nunes leave in the summer, after a few weeks of negotiations with Manchester City.
Manchester City submitted multiple bids including one which was around £47 million, but that was rejected immediately.
Following this bid, Nunes’ relationship with Wolves deteriorated significantly.
Following a meeting with Matt Hobbs, Nunes is said to have refused to train and departed the training ground quickly.
This behaviour angered staff and likely players too, so following this he wasn’t seen again at Compton Park.
But now it’s been reported that Julen Lopetegui is who got the deal over the line, taking the Portuguese midfielder from Molineux to Etihad.
Lopetegui recommended Nunes to City
According to The Telegraph, Pep Guardiola sought the opinion of former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui on Matheus Nunes.
“Guardiola consulted former Wolves head coach Julen Lopetegui for his opinion and was given a glowing recommendation.”
Lopetegui had departed Wolves at this time, and his endorsement helped Wolves get a fee that helped them spend some money late in the window.
City felt a deal for Nunes would be easy to complete given the financial peril that Wolves were in.
Selling Nunes was the right call
Despite all mentioned factors, Wolves didn’t have to sell, as we saw when they rejected the first bid from City.
But in the end we think the sale was the correct decision.
Nunes wasn’t exactly setting the world alight for Wolves, and with his sale the team has been strengthened.
To add to the reasons to sell, Guardiola has already back-tracked on his ‘one of the best in the world’ claim over Nunes after seeing him up close.