Wolves handed a boost in their pursuit of Matheus Nunes as Liverpool PULL OUT of the transfer race

Liverpool are not pursuing a deal for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes who has attracted interest from Wolves.

Jurgen Klopp's side had been linked with a move for the 23-year-old - who has a £51million release clause in his contract.

However, the Premier League giants have pulled out of the transfer race for Nunes - leaving the door open for Wolves.

Wolves are interested in Nunes but a switch to Molineux 'doesn't appeal' to the 23-year-old Sporting Lisbon star.

Nunes impressed in last season's Champions League and shone so bright that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola even singled him out for praise.

The Manchester City manager said: 'I would say that Matheus Nunes is one of the best players in the world today.

'Despite the difficulties and some mistakes, I have to be very satisfied because we took a big step towards the next round.'

Lisbon view Nunes as a traditional No 8-style box-to-box player that is the more attacking option in a double midfield pivot.

Sporting have often leaned towards a 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1 and he has been deployed on the left side of the central two.

He is a terrier of a player out of possession, reading the game brilliantly for a young player and is a notorious pest in hassling opponents.

Nunes has also caught the attention through his exquisite range of passing - offering long-range balls across the pitch as well as close and connected passes.

As a result, Chelsea have also registered an interest in signing the Sporting Lisbon midfielder this summer.

Interestingly Nunes is a client of Jorge Mendes' Gestifute agency and it was Mendes who met with Boehly recently with the topic of a move for Cristiano Ronaldo on the agenda.