Wolves parted ways with Matheus Nunes in controversial circumstances during the 2023 summer transfer window.
Nunes went on strike at Wolves after learning of Manchester City’s interest back in 2023.
The midfielder had only signed for the Old Gold the summer prior, arriving from Sporting CP after impressing in Portugal’s top flight.
Gary O’Neil was the manager who sanctioned Nunes’ departure from Molineux, a parting of ways that has proved to be sensational business for Wolves.
Pep Guardiola shares honest review of Matheus Nunes
Wolves haven’t missed Nunes once since his exit, but it could be said that the 26-year-old is regretting leaving the club so hastily.
Only one year after making the move to the Etihad, it was reported that Man City were ready to offload Nunes, who has recorded only 21 Premier League starts since 2023.
Such could be the case this summer, as Pep Guardiola isn’t convinced about the midfielder’s ability, something the City boss made clear after the Manchester derby.
Guardiola started Nunes at right-back against Manchester United, later explaining why the ex-Wolves ace isn’t playing in his favoured central midfield role.
“I think he’s not a player to play in the middle because he’s not clever enough, in the composure,” Guardiola brutally told the media in his post-match press conference.
The Spaniard continued by highlighting some positives about playing Nunes at right-back rather than in attack.
“The big mistake of full-backs is when you have the cross to the far post, where you are, always they are sleeping. He defended really well two or three crosses, like when Bruno put it to the far post for Dorgu.
“He has the attention and the physicality to do it. So he can play in that position and help us a lot.”
Guardiola isn’t prepared to risk playing Nunes in his favoured position due to reservations over the quality he can provide, which is a humiliating admission from the City manager.
Gary O’Neil made the right call with Nunes
Selling Nunes was good business for Wolves, who let the unconvincing player leave for a considerable price when things started to get ugly.
Though O’Neil was an admirer of Nunes, the former Wolves manager realised it was time to let the midfielder depart.
Matheus Nunes at Manchester City
62 appearances, 37 starts, 34x unused substitute, 3 goals 13 assists, Matheus Nunes’ Manchester City career – correct as of 07/04/25
City coughed up a second transfer offer of £53m that was too good for the Old Gold to refuse, with those in the West Midlands certainly laughing now.
Nunes forced a move to City only to be snubbed by Guardiola less than two years after his exit, a transfer saga that Wolves certainly got the better of.
