Matheus Nunes transfer: Gary O’Neil reveals if he expects Wolves midfielder to sign for Man City

Gary O’Neil has revealed he does not expect Matheus Nunes to join Manchester City in the final days of the summer transfer window, and he said ‘presumes’ the midfielder will remain with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Premier League champions submitted an initial offer for Nunes last week that was rejected by Wolves, and it’s unclear whether City plan to submit a follow-up bid. The Blues remain adamant that they will walk away from the deal if they feel it is too expensive, and City will make a final decision on Nunes before Friday’s transfer deadline.

The 25-year-old missed the weekend win over Everton through suspension, but opted to stay away from Wolves training this week in an effort to force through a move to City. Nunes was also omitted from the squad that beat Blackpool 5-0 on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup, with O’Neil hinting after the match that he feels let down by the player’s handling of the situation.

“We’re disappointed he’s decided to remove himself from the group,” the Wolves boss told Sky Sports. “The transfer window has four days left, let’s see what happens. As far as I’m aware - unless anything’s happened in the last 90 minutes - there’s been no improved bid.

“If he is our player, which I presume he will be, come 2 September then he will be part of the group and we’ll speak to him around what he needs to do and where we need to get him to. 

“It’s one of the problems that comes when the season starts and the window is still open. I can understand when a big club come in for you it can be unsettling. But there are ways you should and shouldn’t deal with it and I have my own views that I will share with Matheus when I get the chance.

“Yeah I do [expect him to stay],” O’Neil continued. “At the moment there has been a bid, it’s been rejected and we haven’t heard anything else. I think the next few days will be key to how things unfold, but as far as I’m concerned I need to get Matheus back into the group and we go from there.”