🚨 Breaking: Manchester City’s €50m Signing Reportedly Ready to Leave Just Months After Joining Pep Guardiola’s Squad 😶🌫️🔥
In a surprise twist that has left fans stunned, one of Manchester City’s recent €50 million signings is reportedly already considering a departure from the Etihad Stadium, just months after joining the treble winners. According to multiple reports from sources close to the club, the player—whose identity is being protected for now due to ongoing negotiations—is “unsettled” and open to a move elsewhere, either on loan or through a permanent transfer.
This shocking revelation comes at a time when Manchester City are actively reshaping their squad ahead of another long season across domestic and European competitions. While the club is known for managing top talent with precision, this development is a rare misfire in what has otherwise been a seamless recruitment operation under Pep Guardiola and director of football Txiki Begiristain.
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🧩 Who Is the Player in Question?
While the official name hasn’t been confirmed by Manchester City or Pep Guardiola, strong indications point toward Matheus Nunes, the Portuguese midfielder who joined City from Wolves in the summer of 2024 for a fee in the region of €50 million (£43m). Nunes was viewed as a long-term solution to bolster City’s midfield depth, especially with Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gündoğan either aging or already gone.
However, despite his talent, Nunes has struggled to establish himself in Guardiola’s demanding system. He has made only a handful of starts since arriving and has frequently been left on the bench in favour of Rodri, Mateo Kovačić, and even academy graduates like Rico Lewis being repurposed in midfield.
Sources say that Nunes is growing frustrated with a lack of minutes, and is not keen on spending another full season as a squad rotation option—especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup drawing near and competition for places in the Portuguese national team heating up.
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❌ Tactical Misfit or Timing Issue?
When Nunes arrived, many City fans and analysts lauded the deal as a coup. He had impressed at Wolves with his ability to break lines, carry the ball forward, and inject pace into midfield transitions. However, transitioning from Wolves’ counter-attacking system to Pep Guardiola’s positional, possession-based play has proven to be a steep learning curve.
Guardiola demands tactical discipline, spatial awareness, and rapid decision-making—all areas in which Nunes is still developing. While the manager is known for being patient with new signings, especially midfielders, it seems the player’s camp is already losing confidence in the project, believing that his development is stagnating.
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📉 Stats Don’t Lie
A glance at Nunes’ stats from the 2024/25 season so far paints a clear picture:
Appearances: 17 (mostly as a substitute)
Starts: 6
Goals/Assists: 0
Chances Created: 5
Pass Accuracy: 88%
Duels Won: 43%
While not disastrous, these numbers don’t reflect the kind of influence expected from a €50m signing. Nunes has had flashes of brilliance, but not enough to justify consistent selection in Guardiola’s finely-tuned machine.
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🔁 What Are the Options?
The current situation opens several doors:
1. Loan Move – Clubs in La Liga, Serie A, and even the Bundesliga have reportedly enquired about a potential loan deal with an option to buy. This would give Nunes regular game time and a chance to rebuild his confidence.
2. Permanent Sale – While City are unlikely to let him go for less than €40 million, a permanent move could be on the cards if the right offer comes in. Teams like Atlético Madrid, Napoli, and Borussia Dortmund have expressed interest.
3. Stay and Fight – There is still a chance that Nunes could choose to stay, especially if there are outgoings in midfield. Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips are both linked with summer exits, and Kevin De Bruyne is being closely monitored by clubs in Saudi Arabia.
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🧠 Pep Guardiola’s Reaction
While Guardiola has not publicly addressed the matter, insiders suggest that he is disappointed but not entirely surprised. The City boss understands the pressures players face when trying to adapt to his system and is known for giving second chances to those who commit fully to the process.
However, Guardiola also has little tolerance for indecision or lack of patience. If a player signals they are not mentally ready to fight for a place, he is likely to approve an exit—as seen with players like João Cancelo, Leroy Sané, and Ferran Torres in previous seasons.
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💬 Fan Reaction: Mixed Emotions
City fans have responded to the news with a mix of frustration and sympathy. Some feel that Nunes wasn’t given enough time or a consistent role, while others believe City simply overpaid for a player who doesn’t fit Pep’s model.
Here are a few reactions trending online:
“He was never really trusted from the start. Classic Pep slow integration—some survive it, some don’t.”
“Sad to see this so soon. Thought he’d be perfect as a box-to-box runner next to Rodri.”
“€50m down the drain? Hope we at least get a good resale or loan fee.”
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⏳ What Happens Next?
The next 2–3 weeks will be crucial. Manchester City are currently in pre-season preparations, and Nunes is expected to hold direct talks with Guardiola and club directors. If he pushes for a move, City will not stand in his way—provided the deal is financially sound.
The January transfer window is approaching, and a winter exit is possible—especially with clubs like Napoli looking to reinforce their midfield after recent struggles.
City may also line up a replacement if Nunes departs, with several young midfielders being scouted across Europe and South America.
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🔚 Conclusion
Manchester City rarely miss in the transfer market—but when a €50m signing is ready to leave less than a season after joining, questions will be asked. Whether it’s Matheus Nunes or another player facing the exit door, this situation is a reminder that even at a world-class club like City, adaptation is everything.
With tensions rising and options being explored, a January move looks increasingly likely. The only question is whether it will be a temporary detour—or a permanent goodbye.
Stay tuned. More updates in the comments soon 😶🌫️👇
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