Manchester United are confident of striking a deal to sign Matheus Cunha without having to match the Wolverhampton Wanderer forward’s £62.5 million release clause up front, according to Give Me Sport.
The report reveals the Red Devils held negotiations over a summer move for Cunha after his agent flew into England for “face-to-face talks” with potential suitors this week.
And United came away from the meeting with a sense that a transfer can be agreed which presents a more favourable payment structure to the club’s constrained budget than having to pay the release clause up front.
Avoiding the Release Clause
The report states, “GMS sources have been informed that influential figures at Manchester United believe they will not have to match that figure upfront and they will be looking for a different kind of structure if they decide to proceed with entering negotiations after Cunha’s representatives jetted into the UK earlier this week.”
This mirrors United’s approach to the pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee last summer where Old Trafford officials agreed to pay a fee slightly higher than the Dutch forward’s release clause at Bologna, in order to secure a better long-term payment structure.
This then enabled the Reds to spend more in the same transfer window on other targets as they were able to spread Zirkzee’s transfer cost more evenly across his contract.
Two Recruits Up Front
Given the number of areas which Ruben Amorim is likely to be seeking upgrades in this summer – the centre-forward, number ten, central midfield and right wing-back positions – the prospect of a more favourable deal for Cunha is an obviously attractive one, even if it, paradoxically, means paying more in the long-run.
The Brazil international is tailor made for the attacking midfielder slot in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, particularly given he retains the versatility to play as the number nine as well.
Premier League rivals Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have also been linked with a move for Cunha, presenting a potentially awkward transfer race to win. But the Gunners are believed to be prioritising other targets, while the 25-year-old forward would favour a move to a “traditional big six club” over Forest.
As such, United could be set to enjoy a free run at one of the league’s best performers this season, though his disciplinary issues present a valid concerns over his temperament and professionalism.
United appear to have landed on Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as their first-choice target up front with a report relayed by The Peoples Person revealing the club will target the 22-year-old Englishman alongside Cunha, rather than a case of one or the other.
Delap’s contract contains a £30 million release clause should the Tractor Boys be relegated, meaning a double swoop by the Red Devils for the two Premier League attackers would cost less than £100 million and offer a significant upgrade to Amorim’s forward line.
Featured Image Naomi Baker 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.
