Manchester United are “very confident” they will sign Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Red Devils have identified Cunha as a primary target to upgrade Ruben Amorim’s attacking unit after a dismal season from the team’s existing strikers.
The senior partnership of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have combined for just seven goals in the Premier League this season. Cunha, by comparison, has scored more than double this figure on his own – 15 goals – while providing a further six assists.
This fine form from the Brazilian international has also come in the exact same system Amorim is seeking to implement at Old Trafford, with Wolves playing a 3-4-2-1 set-up under Vitor Pereira.
Cunha plays as a number ten on the left for the Black Country side – the exact position United need an upgrade in to enable Bruno Fernandes to remain in central midfield, while Amad takes over the right attacking midfield slot.
However, the Red Devils are not alone in their admiration for the 25-year-old, whose contract at Molineux contains a £62.5 million release clause.
Both Arsenal and Newcastle United have expressed interest in Cunha with the player’s representatives meeting with both clubs, in addition to United. There is also thought to be interest from the Saudi Pro League.
But Romano has revealed Old Trafford officials remain “very confident” they will win the race for the Brazilian “despite rumours of other clubs”.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Italian transfer guru contends United are “working” on the deal and there is a “very good connection” with Cunha: “Ruben Amorim appreciates Cunha and the player knows this very well.”
“I want to say to Man United fans…relax a bit on this one. Yes there was a feeling two or three weeks ago that this deal could happen in a few days, but it always takes time to prepare a contract, to agree on the salary, to speak to the agent, and then to agree with Wolves on the payment terms.
“We expect Man United to advance on this one in the coming days. Cunha is keen on the move and it’s just about completing the contract agreement.”
There have been reports suggesting United could pay a fee slightly higher than the £62.5 million release clause in order to secure a more favourable long-term payment structure, similar to the deal agreed to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna last summer.
And it seems like it is this area of the move which the club are continuing to work on, as opposed to the courting process of convincing Cunha to complete the switch. While there may be interest from elsewhere in the Premier League, the Brazilian appears to have his eyes firmly set on Old Trafford this summer.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
