Matheus Nunes has gone on strike and told Wolves he wants to move to Manchester City.
The midfielder did not report to the club’s training ground on Sunday or Monday and will be disciplined for refusing to train.
City had a bid worth £47m rejected last week, with Wolves valuing Nunes at closer to £60m.
He has a contract until 2027 – plus the option of a further year – and Wolves will not allow the Portugal international to leave until their valuation is met.
City are expected to return with an improved bid for Nunes ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline.
Nunes joined Wolves in a club-record £42m deal from Sporting last summer and has four years remaining on his contract, plus the option of a further 12 months.
The 24-year-old has shown glimpses of his quality, scoring a superb volley against Chelsea last season, but that remains his only goal for the club.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Nunes has endured a disappointing start to the season, featuring in Wolves’ 1-0 defeat at Manchester United and then being sent off in the 4-1 home loss to Brighton.
City are looking for a creative midfielder after Kevin De Bruyne was ruled out for several months with a hamstring injury suffered in the first game of the season against Burnley.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Ball-carrier Nunes provides skillset Guardiola is seeking
“Matheus Nunes is one of the best players in the world today.” That comment from Pep Guardiola came in February of last year after Manchester City’s win over Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie. He is a long-time admirer.
Nunes joined Wolves at the end of that season, going on to provide glimpses of the quality that Guardiola had recognised in him. An outrageous strike on the angle against Chelsea in April made the shortlist for Premier League goal of the season.
But City’s interest in Nunes is still intriguing given that this remains his only goal in the competition. That it was such a spectacular one sums up his time at Wolves – hints of what he is capable of but a frustrating inability to put all the parts of his game together.
Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will be on the move in the final days of the transfer window before it closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
Services Marketplace – Listings, Bookings & Reviews
