coventry city are already moving forward like a club that knows survival in the Premier League will depend on smart recruitment, and Botafogo winger Matthias Martins has now emerged as a name on their radar ahead of the summer window.
According to Brazilian outlet globo esporteNewly promoted team Feyenoord is one of several European clubs keeping an eye on the 22-year-old, along with Celta de Vigo and Krasnodar.
Coventry's interest has grown as the club prepares for its first Premier League campaign in 25 years under Frank Lampard.
Botafogo are now ready to sell the winger for around €8m (£6.7m). The figure is significantly less than the €10m (£8.4m) paid to Udinese in 2024.
The Brazilian side are under financial pressure and reportedly see Matheus Martins as one of the assets capable of generating immediate wealth.
Newcomers to the Premier League often have difficulty finding attackers with top-flight experience at affordable prices. Matthias Martins already knows English football His spell at Watfordwhere he played 49 matches, scoring six goals and adding three assists in the championship, before returning to Brazil.
Coventry City sees opportunity in the market
Matthias Martins hasn't exactly burst onto the scene at Botafogo, but there are signs why clubs remain interested.
Since arriving, he has played 81 matches, scoring nine goals and providing two assists. Those numbers are modest on paper, yet his speed, ability to attack defenders one-on-one and experience in different systems still make him an attractive developmental option.
Lampard's team is expected to recruit aggressively this summer, particularly in wide areas, and Matthias Martins fits the profile of a player with reviving ability, Premier League athleticism and previous adaptation to English football.
Financial pressure could help Coventry
There is another important detail behind Botafogo's stance.
The Brazilian club still owes Udinese part of the original transfer fee and the matter has been escalated to FIFA. Reports from Brazil estimate the outstanding debt at around €6m (£5m). It appears that financial pressures are affecting the club's willingness to negotiate below the original purchase price.
In practical terms, this could give Coventry an opening.
The €8m (£6.7m) deal is relatively manageable by Premier League standards, especially for a player who is still only 22 and already has experience in Italy's network system through Brazil, Udinese and English football.
Mattheus Martins is currently recovering from a muscle injury, but Botafogo are hopeful he will return soon. His situation now looks increasingly likely to become one of the club's main transfer stories of the summer.
