Pep Guardiola will be sending a thank you message to Jose Mourinho after Manchester City benefited from a decision taken by the former Real Madrid boss during his time at Benfica.
City have moved to strengthen their squad, and they have now reached an agreement with Benfica for Matheus Nunes. The Portugal international is set to join the Premier League champions after the clubs settled on a deal worth €62 million.
The move has been helped by a unique policy at Benfica that dates back to Mourinho’s spell in charge of the Lisbon club in 2000. It has been revealed that Mourinho introduced a “strategy” that ensures Benfica include a sell-on clause in their player sales, allowing them to profit again if that player is moved on in the future.
Benfica had signed Nunes from Sporting CP in 2019, and when they agreed his sale to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022, the deal included a 10 per cent sell-on clause. That clause has meant Sporting, Nunes’ former club, are now due a cut from City’s payment.
As a result, the overall package City have agreed with Benfica has been reduced from the original asking price, with the understanding that part of the money will go to Sporting because of that clause. It is a setup that has worked in Benfica’s favour for years – but in this case it has helped City get their man.
Guardiola is expected to welcome Nunes as City look to cover for key injuries and add depth ahead of another demanding season. And with Benfica’s long-running approach playing a part in the final figures, the City boss has one old rival to thank.
