‘He’s our player’ – Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui rules out Matheus Nunes transfer exit after Liverpool ‘launch £44m bid’

JULEN LOPETEGUI has ruled out selling Matheus Nunes amid Liverpool's interest.

The Reds are looking for midfield recruits to bolster the spine of the team to help with their top four charge.

They have already signed forward Cody Gakpo in a £37million deal from PSV.

But with the January window now open, reported that Liverpool submitted a £44m bid to prise Portugal star Nunes away from Wolves.

However, new boss Lopetegui appears to have ruled out the departure of the 24-year-old - who only arrived in a club-record £42.2m deal in the summer.

The ex-Real Madrid and Spain boss said: "We can say that Matheus is our player, he’s a Wolves player and he’s happy to be here."

Jamie Carragher blasted the club's recruitment committee for not signing a midfielder in the summer, before urging them to splash £200m on new players.

Following the club's 3-1 loss to Brentford, he said: "Liverpool’s transfer team have been lauded more than any in Premier League, but this is on them.

"They’ve gone from team challenging for four trophies to one that’s struggling for a Champions League place. Liverpool didn’t sign a midfield player in the summer.

"They can’t get in the top four without signing a midfielder. I can’t see it changing before the end of the season.

"They’re a team in transition. They’ve got a lot of young players who have been great for the club, but they need to go big in the summer.

"You think of what (Manchester) United and Chelsea have spent and they’re still not close to winning the league.

"Liverpool need to spend £200m. They need to sign three midfielders. They need to be at least £40-50m players.

"People keep talking about Bellingham, but for me it's as important to get a Wijnaldum type, who - alongside Fabinho - can protect that back four, stop players running through."