Manchester United are reportedly set to win the race for Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha despite Arsenal making a late approach for the Brazil international.
Cunha has been in outstanding form for Wolves during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 17 goals and registering six assists in 34 appearances in all competitions, including 15 goals and six assists in 31 Premier League matches.
The 25-year-old penned a new deal at Molineux earlier this year, but it included a £62.5m release clause, and Cunha is expected to leave his current side this summer.
Arsenal have reportedly made an attempt to hijack Man United’s move for Cunha, with the Gunners also having a long-standing interest in the Brazilian, but the Red Devils are still said to be in pole position.
According to journalist Valentin Furlan, a verbal agreement is close, with personal terms now being discussed, as Man United move closer to securing their first signing of the 2025 summer transfer window.
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Man United ‘set to beat Arsenal’ to Cunha
Furlan claims that the deal will be worth £67m including extras, and it will kick off Man United’s summer spending, with the 20-time English champions determined to boost their forward line ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Cunha is believed to be viewed by Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim as the perfect player to operate as one of the number 10s in his 3-4-3 system, and his influence for Wolves this season has been immense.
In total, the South American has represented Wolves on 90 occasions, scoring 33 goals and registering 15 assists, while he managed seven goals and eight assists in 54 appearances for Atletico Madrid during his time with the Red and Whites.
Cunha gained Champions League experience during his time at Atletico, in addition to representing RB Leipzig on two occasions in the competition, and he will hope to be joining a Man United side with top-level European action next term.
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Which other attackers could join Man United this summer?
Man United are believed to be planning to bring in three new attackers during this summer’s transfer window, with Ipswich Town‘s Liam Delap, who has a £30m release clause, seemingly their leading target at centre-forward.
Bournemouth‘s Antoine Semenyo, Brentford‘s Bryan Mbeumo and Crystal Palace‘s Eberechi Eze are all being linked with switches to the 20-time English champions, who will fund the arrivals by moving at least three attackers on.
Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho are all set to depart on permanent deals this summer, while Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are also said to be available for the right price.
Man United could also sign a goalkeeper, a centre-back and a central midfielder during a busy market, and their position in the transfer window would be a lot stronger if they were able to beat Tottenham Hotspur in next week’s Europa League final to secure Champions League football for the 2025-26 campaign.
