Nottingham Forest are plotting a club record move for Matheus Cunha if they qualify for the Champions League, talkSPORT understands.
Forest made enquiries for Cunha in January but Wolves were adamant they were not prepared to sell.
The Brazilian has since signed a new contract at Molineux with a £62million release clause that kicks in this summer.
Elliott Anderson is currently Forest’s most expensive player ever at £35m.
Nuno Espirito Santo has sensationally guided the Tricky Trees to third place in the Premier League with nine matches remaining.
They are seven points clear of sixth-place Newcastle, with England’s top five clubs set to qualify for next season’s Champions League in the current UEFA co-efficient rankings.
Wolves, meanwhile, are still looking over their shoulders in 17th place, with nine points separating them from the drop zone.
Their next two matches – against West Ham and relegation rivals Ipswich – could all-but seal survival.
However, star man Cunha will play no part in either fixture after being given an extended four-match ban and a £50,000 fine for violent conduct during the FA Cup defeat at Bournemouth.
The 25-year-old was also banned for two matches and fined £80,000 earlier this season after clashing with Ipswich security staff during their game at Molineux.
Arsenal have expressed an interest in Cunha – with a striker being the Gunners’ top priority this summer amid long-term injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
However, talkSPORT understands manager Mikel Arteta has reservations about the forward’s hot-headed character.
In front of goal, Cunha has been crucial to Wolves’ survival bid, scoring 13 times in 26 games and grabbing four assists.
Since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2023, the Brazil international has 27 goals in the top-flight.
Forest, meanwhile, have been inspired by the outstanding form of striker Chris Wood – who is fourth in this season’s Golden Boot race behind Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak.
The 33-year-old has played every match for Forest in the Premier League this campaign, netting 18 times.
Speaking after the most recent 4-2 win over Ipswich, Espirito Santo insisted there is still a long way to go before Forest secure a most unlikely Champions League spot.
“You know what I think about the table,” Nuno said.
“What we have to do is focus on ourselves. Work as much as we can because there is a lot of football to be played yet.”
