Late-night news: Newcastle make approach for impressive midfielder; he's 'too fast'

Newcastle United are interested in signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes, according to a late-night report from Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness).

The 23-year-old is under contract until 2026 in Portugal (Transfermarkt), but that hasn’t put off the suitors as numerous Premier League clubs attempt to lure the star to England.

Already heavily linked with a move to Wolves, Manchester United and Manchester City in recent weeks, Nunes looks certain to be hot property during this summer transfer window.

Now it appears as though Newcastle could be about to join the race to land the sought-after flourishing Portugal international…

As per Foot Mercato (22:12, 14/06), translated by SW, both Newcastle and Everton have made ‘approaches’ to sign Nunes recently.

It’s claimed that Sporting have rejected an offer of €45million (£38.8million) for the eight-cap ace, although it isn’t specified which club made the bid.

The report also states that the Primeira Liga club will hold out for the €60million (£51.8million) release clause for the man described as being ‘too fast’ to defend against by former teammate Goncalo Santos.

As all eyes turn to St James’ Park in expectation of lavish spending under new ownership group PIF, signing a player of Nunes’ ilk would be a superb piece of initial business as the club go through the gears in terms of their development.

Predominantly operating as a box-to-box midfielder, the industrious star scored four times and provided five assists in 50 appearances across all competitions, earning a 6.95 Sofascore rating whilst winning 6.5 duels and making 36.5 accurate passes on average per game – proof of a well-oiled all-round game.

Albeit a hefty asking price, spending big on Nunes to lineup