An update has emerged regarding Everton's interest in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes.

What's the talk?

According to Portuguese outlet Record, via Sport Witness, the Toffees could open up talks with Sporting to sign the midfielder this summer.

The report claims that Rafa Benitez is keen to get a deal done for the 22-year-old, for whom Sporting want £15m (€18m).

Dream deal

Director of football Marcel Brands could seal a dream deal for Everton by snapping Nunes up for £15m before the end of the window, as he could be a superb replacement for Andre Gomes.

The Toffees are reportedly open to selling the former Barcelona man this summer and that could open up a space in the midfield for a new signing to come in. Gomes averaged a lowly WhoScored rating of 6.46 in the Premier League last season, which suggests that he is not good enough to consistently provide good performances on the pitch at the top level.

Nunes could come in and offer an upgrade in the midfield. Last season, he won more ground duels per match than Gomes, with whom he tied for clearances and interceptions per game, whilst also losing possession less frequently than the Everton midfielder.

The Sporting gem is also six years younger than the man he could potentially replace, which means he would come in with potential as well as the quality to make an immediate impact. Therefore, he could be an excellent signing for Everton in the short and long-term.

He has been backed by his peers, with former team-mate Goncalo Santos lavishing praise on the youngster earlier this summer as he pointed out the unbelievable ability he has with the ball at his feet.

He told the Liverpool Echo: “In one game, he went on a run which was about 60 metres, it was amazing! People went crazy and everybody was talking about it.

“It's unbelievable when he has the ball at his feet. Nobody can catch him; it’s impossible because he's too fast.

“Matheus is a box-to-box player. He's not so strong like midfielders in the Premier League but he's very fast. He's very good with the ball because he is a Brazilian boy.”

Taking all of this into consideration, Brands must get a deal over the line for the Portuguese midfielder this summer. He should bid farewell to Gomes and bring in Nunes to bolster Benitez's squad, with a fee of £15m potentially making it a dream deal as they would not need to break the bank for his signature.

AND in other news, Brands must ruthlessly axe £112k-p/w Everton flop, Ancelotti wanted him gone...