Liverpool have face unexpected issues in their efforts to bring Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes to Anfield this summer, according to reports.
The Reds are having a poor season with Jurgen Klopp’s men currently sitting eighth in the Premier League table, 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United and 29 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool’s form this season has left people scratching their heads after they were just a couple of games away from an unprecedented Quadruple last term.
Klopp’s midfield players have taken the brunt of the blame, especially early on in the season, with fans and pundits calling for some younger energy in the middle of the park.
One of the bright sparks in the Reds’ season has been the emergence of Stefan Bajcetic with the Spanish youngster keeping a number of older professionals out of the side.
The Liverpool board and Klopp are determined to strengthen their midfield in the summer transfer window with Spanish publication Nacional claiming that Wolves’ Nunes is on their ‘priority target list’.
But Liverpool have suffered a transfer ‘insurrection’ with the report revealing a ‘tremendous setback’ in their chances of landing Nunes despite Klopp considering the deal ‘closed’.
Klopp has been ‘impressed’ by Nunes whenever he has seen him in the flesh and wanted to sign him but a deal has become ‘enormously complicated’ for Liverpool.
Nacional insist that a €55m (around £50m) release clause is not activated this summer, as previously thought, and Liverpool will now ‘have to negotiate’ if they want Nunes to join their ranks.
Wolves are demanding an ‘irresistible offer’ to allow Nunes to leave and now Klopp will be ‘forced’ to find an ‘alternative’ to the Portugal international.
A move for Jude Bellingham has been mooted but there are doubts whether he would move to Liverpool if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, while Liverpool are keen not to get involved in a bidding war for the Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder.
Speaking earlier this year, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed that Nunes is part of Klopp’s midfield wishlist, as well as Bellingham and Chelsea star Mason Mount.
Romano told Caught Offside: “On Mason Mount rumours – at the moment, I’m told that Liverpool’s top priority remains Jude Bellingham and they also follow Matheus Nunes.
“Let’s see what’s going to happen with Mount, at the moment his new contract situation has to be clarified as talks with Chelsea have been ongoing for months.”
READ MORE: How Klopp’s ‘genius’ Alexander-Arnold switch can put Liverpool back on top again…
