Everton should still move to sign Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes this summer, despite suffering a setback amid interest from Manchester City and Newcastle United.

According to Portuguese newspaper Record (via Sport Witness) Everton are all but out of the race to sign the player as he wants an 'ambitious' project. However, if the Toffees are successful in their battle for survival they could convince Nunes that he should sign for them.

Reports state that Man City and Newcastle are the two clubs leading the race for the £50m talent, but they will also have their attention on other targets which could leave room for Everton to hijack any agreement.

With the construction of a brand new stadium, the club are also in a position to prove to the player that there is an exciting project on Merseyside.

Time to get rid of Allan

Midfield is an area that Everton do need to improve on in the summer. There are question marks over the future of Brazilian Allan, with his contract running out next year, and the club might decide now is the right time to cut their losses and get him off their wage bill.

He is currently the joint highest-paid player at Goodison Park with a weekly wage of £120k. Signing Nunes, who is 23-years old, would be a better investment for the future.

When you compare the two players this season, the Portuguese international has performed better in many areas. His passing accuracy percentage per game betters Allan's at 86% compared to 80%.

That area of his game has been rather suspect of late with the former Napoli man completing a remarkably alarming tally of just three passes in his last two outings.

He has also created five big chances this season as opposed to the Everton star who hasn't created any. Even when it comes to defensive stats Allan has made one error that has led to a goal this season compared to Nunes' 0.

The 23-year old has been labelled "one of the best players in the world" by Man City manager Pep Guardiola as an "animal" by Paulo Futre, so it's easy to see why so may are interested in signing him.

It's highly unlikely that Everton will be able to outbid either Man City or Newcastle, but they can offer the midfielder something different. He would be an extremely key player in the team and would likely get more game time than at the other two clubs.

He would also get to work under Premier League legend Frank Lampard who would be a perfect mentor for how to adapt. If the Toffees have the money to make this move happen, they should give it everything they can.

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