WOLVES have smashed their transfer record to land Sporting Lisbon's £42.2million midfielder Matheus Nunes on a five-year-deal.
The 23-year-old's arrival represents a major coup for the club and boss Bruno Lage could hand him a his debut versus Spurs on Saturday.
Liverpool, Manchester United, Everton and West Ham had all failed to prise the Rio-born Portugal international away from Sporting over the last year.
Pep Guardiola described Nunes as "one of the best players in the world," after impressing the Man City manager when they faced Sporting in the Champions' League last season.
However Nunes believes moving to the Premier League can be the making of him and says the language barrier won't be a problem.
The Rio-born star, who moved to Portugal when he was 13 said: "My stepdad is actually from Sunderland,"
"I learned English with him since I was a little kid, and in school as well, and when you learn as a kid, it’s much easier.
“I’m very excited to sign for Wolves. For me, I could play tomorrow already, but I can’t because the game is Saturday, but I’m looking forward to it."
Nunes believes teaming up with Portuguese teammates Jose Sa, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Pedro Neto can help him settle and improve their chances in the approaching World Cup.
Asked what had convinced him now was the right time to leave Sporting, Nunes said: "I think the club itself – and I also spoke to some of my teammates because I play with them for the national team.
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“Ruben, Moutinho, I spoke to all of them and asked them stuff, and they all said great stuff about the club – Sa as well, so I’m glad to be here.
“For sure. I’ve wanted to come here for a long time now. This is the best league in the world for sure and, like I said, it’s the best step for me and I’m ready.”
Nunes also expressed how important Lage was in bringing him to Molineux saying: "The coach really wanted me.
“I wanted to know what the manager expects from me, and it’s good to know he has a lot of expectations of me, that he believes in me.
"That gives me the will to work hard and prove that he’s right.
"I want to play for the fans, enjoy myself and try to make them enjoy our football and deliver their expectations."
The signing of Nunes could persuade Neves to remain at the club.
The 25-year-old has been targeted by Manchester United, Barcelona and Arsenal this summer.
But after a tearful goodbye at the end of last campaign, no transfer could materialise.
SunSport can reveal talks between Neves and Wolves over a new contract are continuing, with Molineux sources increasingly confident their midfield talisman will stay.
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