37 Premier League goal contributions since last season – How Wolves brought the best out of Matheus Cunha

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Manchester United summer target 

©TM/IMAGO

During Matheus Cunha’s initial six-month loan spell at Wolves, he struggled. Signed for €35m by Atlético Madrid back in 2021 when he was just 21 years old, the Brazilian failed to make an impact in LaLiga – he scored just six goals in 40 league games for the Spanish giants. During his initial months in England, it looked as though the striker may also struggle in the Premier League; just two goals in 17 appearances in his loan spell led many to question whether the silky South American had the steel to succeed in the English top-flight. However, the appointment of Gary O’Neil just a matter of days before last season’s opening game injected some fire into Cunha, and he hasn’t looked back since.

In O’Neil’s first game in charge, Cunha tormented a disjointed Manchester United defence, and soon began turning his superb dribbling skills and switched-on footballing brain into direct goal contributions. His development has continued under Portuguese boss Vítor Pereira, who arrived at Molineux in December and has since steered the club to Premier League safety. Since the start of last season, only 10 players have more combined goals and assists in the Premier League than Cunha. He has seen his market value rise from €25m to €55m over the course of the last two campaigns, and he looks certain to move on to a big club this summer, with Manchester United reportedly having held positive contract talks with the Brazilian.

How Wolves bought the best out of Matheus Cunha

To date, Cunha has endured a rather unconventional career path for a Brazilian player. Born in the port city of João Pessoa in north-eastern Brazil, Cunha played youth football for Coritiba before signing for Swiss side FC Sion in 2017 as an 18 year old, after impressing in an international tournament. From there, he signed a five-year-deal at RB Leipzig, before signing for Hertha Berlin where he began to really make an impact in European football. But as touched upon, his move to Atlético didn’t quite work out, and it’s now at O’Neil’s Wolves that Cunha is really flourishing.

As illustrated in the graphic above, only ten players have more Premier League goal contributions since the start of last season than Cunha’s 37. When we bare in mind that all of those players bar Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo play for clubs that finished in last season’s top nine, it heightens Cunha’s achievements. The Brazilian has also missed five games this calendar year through suspension. Wolves had a tough start to the season which saw them lingering in the relegation zone, but Cunha didn’t shy away, and has played a huge part in dragging his team up the table. He signed a new contract with the club in January, but has recently admitted he has big aspirations. “I’ve made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential.” Cunha said last month in an interview with the Guardian.

Where could Matheus Cunha go this summer?

This week The Athletic reported that Man United had held positive contract talks to sign Wolverhampton forward Cunha. Manager Ruben Amorim and United executives are supposedly aligned on trying to bring the Brazilian to Old Trafford, and are taking the first steps in attempting to agree personal terms with the 25 year old. The reported €72.7m release clause in Cunha’s contract makes a summer transfer look very much on the cards, although Wolves do reportedly want the payment in full, while there may be scope for instalments.

United have their own financial fair play regulations to consider, but will be hoping to free up some space by selling the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia this summer. There have also been some reports suggesting the club may look to offload striker Rasmus Højlund back to Serie A for the right offer. Many other clubs have also reportedly shown interest in Cunha, with both Arsenal and Manchester City also thought to be admirers of the player. Despite being contracted until 2029, it seems extremely unlikely Cunha will still be a Wolves player next season, and right now the Red Devils appear to front-runners for his signature.