WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Molineux on May 10, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, with ESPN reporting the deal is nearing the final stages.
Cunha has a £62.5 million release clause in his contract, and United are increasingly confident the deal can be finalized early in the summer window.
United officials are reportedly insisting that the club’s immediate focus is on Wednesday’s Europa League final clash with Tottenham, but it is widely believed that the deal for Cunha is progressing in the background.
The deal is reportedly nearing the final stages, with the 25 year old said to be keen on the move to Old Trafford regardless of whether there is Champions League football next season.
Cunha publicly announced his desire to leave Wolves earlier this season, stating ambitions to take the next step in his career and fight for titles. It was initially believed the player favoured a move to a Champions League club, after initial contact with Arsenal in the January transfer window.
He decided to stay with Wolves for the remainder of the season, and now appears to have chosen United as his next destination.
United keen to add Cunha
Cunha has been one of Wolves standout performers since joining from Atletico Madrid in January of 2023. Initially a loan, the deal was made permanent the following summer and the player has been in excellent form ever since.
He bagged 12 goals and 7 assists in his full season last year, and this year has 15 goals and 6 assists so far. He can operate anywhere across the front line and usually takes up the number 10 or half 9 position behind the striker.
United manager Ruben Amorim is known to favor a 3-4-2-1 formation, with two attacking midfielders supporting a central striker and it is believed Cunha would take up one of those spots next to Bruno Fernandes.
Cunha likely won’t be United’s only attacking reinforcement this summer, with reports also linking the club to a move for Ipswich striker Liam Delap. Delap has a £30 million release clause and is said to be on the radar of United amongst several other Premier League clubs.
Delap is however reportedly waiting for the result of the Europa League final, as he favours a Champions League club for his next move. Chelsea and Newcastle are said to be the other Premier League clubs vying for his signature.
United find themselves in need of bolstering in the attacking department, having suffered their worst ever Premier League campaign. They have scored only 42 goals this season, form which has seen them lose a record 18 games as they find themselves in 16th place in the table.
The futures of strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have subsequently been cast into doubt and United are reportedly on the market for fresh blood.
On loan trio Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Jadon Sancho are also expected to depart the club permanently this summer so United will be thin in the forward department.
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo are also said to on the wish list at Old Trafford.
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