Man City hand star bumper new contract and pay rise despite looming punishment for charges
Manchester City are set to receive a surprise yet welcome boost in the midst of turmoil, with one of their key players ready to commit his future to the club despite the looming threat of relegation.
City are awaiting punishment for their charges of financial breaches and there is a strong possibility that the club could be handed a severe points deduction that could see them relegated or even expelled from the Football League altogether.
The situation appears to have taken its toll on the pitch, with Enzo Maresca’s side having lost their last three Premier League matches after winning their opening seven, while a number of key players are likely to question their long-term futures at the club.
However, the Manchester Evening News report that City are close to agreeing a new three-year contract with Matheus Nunes including a pay-rise.
Nunes has proven to be a crucial player for City since being converted to the club’s first-choice right-back and the 28-year-old’s current deal is set to expire in 2028.
City are reportedly willing to hand Nunes a £20,000-per-week pay-rise, taking his basic wage to £150k before bonuses, suggesting that some key players are still happy at the club even with the ongoing uncertainty.
Matheus Nunes: Man City brush off punishment concerns by handing key man new contract
Nunes joined City in 2023 for €62 million from Wolves and initially struggled for minutes in his debut season, making just seven starts as a midfielder.
However, Nunes ended up filling in at right-back after the departure of Kyle Walker in 2025 and the Portuguese international has been an undisputed starter in the role ever since, making 32 starts last season.
A right-back is still high on City’s agenda if they are able to make signings anytime soon, particularly with Nunes currently nursing an injury and with interest from teams such as Real Madrid.
But the commitment of Nunes, particularly with a pay-rise, indicates that both City and their dressing room are relaxed and not getting carried away with potential doomsday talk as they await the outcome of their appeal against their charges.
Read also:
