Sporting CP star Matheus Nunes has lifted the lid on transfer interest from Everton.
The Blues were linked with a move for the midfielder over the summer with speculation first surfacing when Carlo Ancelotti was in charge but a move did not materialise after Rafa Benitez’s appointment.
Rio de Janeiro-born Nunes has lived in Portugal since he was 12 and having obtained a Portuguese passport in August, chose to represent them at international level rather than his country of birth and has subsequently been capped three times.
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Speaking about a potential move to the Premier League – Newcastle United have also been linked – the 23-year-old told Portuguese outlet Record: “To be honest the only thing that came to me was Everton’s interest but nothing happened as I was on vacation.
"And my agent knows I don’t want to have that kind of distraction while I’m relaxed and recovering.
“There was talk of Everton, but in the meantime I came back and nothing else happened.”
Nunes is represented by Jorge Mendes.
Asked if he believed the so-called ‘super agent’ could help facilitate a move to one of Europe’s top leagues, Nunes added: “I don’t believe that this will open more doors for me because they also know that my desire is to stay at Sporting for as long as possible.
“I want to achieve many more things and win every game to keep learning and growing.
“My focus is to improve and I don’t think about anything else.
"This day of thinking about another league may come – or not.”
