Manchester United appear poised to seal their first summer signing even before their challenging Premier League campaign concludes this weekend.
The Red Devils are reportedly on the cusp of reaching a full agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha. According to Fabrizio Romano, Cunha has “decided to join” Manchester United regardless of whether the club secures Champions League qualification tonight. Romano further adds that the Brazilian talisman “wants the move,” with talks now “at the final stages” and expected to be “sealed soon.”
To complete the deal, Manchester United will need to activate Cunha’s £62.5 million release clause. However, the club has the flexibility to pay this sum in installments, a method they utilized for Joshua Zirkzee’s transfer fee last year.
Cunha’s apparent dedication to joining the club, irrespective of their European standing, is likely to endear him to the Old Trafford faithful. This commitment stands in contrast to the reported stances of other potential targets like Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres.
Cunha’s Impressive 2024/2025 Season
At 25 years old, Matheus Cunha is enjoying a career-best season. He has been a pivotal figure for Wolves, notching an impressive 15 goals and six assists in 32 Premier League appearances. Additionally, he contributed two goals in two FA Cup matches.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will be keenly aware of Cunha’s attacking prowess, as the Brazilian played a significant role in Wolves’ league double over United this season, contributing a goal and an assist in those encounters.
His standout performances have not gone unnoticed by pundits. Following a 2-0 win over Southampton in September, former England international Micah Richards lauded Cunha on Match of the Day, highlighting his exceptional football intelligence: “His football IQ is absolutely sensational. He’s the one who can unlock the doors. He finds the little pockets of space and makes the right decisions at the right times. He’s always scanning where he needs to be and always plays the right pass. He is so key in what Wolves are trying to do. He is the best at everything.”
Cunha’s impending arrival signals Manchester United’s intent to add a proven Premier League attacker to their ranks as they look to rebuild and improve under Ruben Amorim.