Matheus Cunha is Wolves’ best player and one of the Premier League’s best but, just how highly rated is the forward in his homeland?
With 19 goal contributions in all competitions for Wolves this season, imagining a future without Cunha is painful for fans.
Now that Cunha is protected by a release clause, there’s a belief that the Brazilian will leave Molineux in the summer, with transfer interest in the 25-year-old building.
The primary concern for Wolves will be to sufficiently replace the forward when he eventually leaves the club, with one player already admired by Vitor Pereira.
Journalist insists Yuri Alberto deserved Brazil national team spot over Matheus Cunha
Wolves’ January transfer window was a success, as Pereira was able to replenish his midfield and defence to bolster the squad.
Though the three players that arrived at Molineux in the winter came of great use, Pereira’s transfer wishes weren’t met entirely.
It was reported that Wolves wanted to sign a forward in the winter, followed by the understanding that Pereira tried to sign Yuri Alberto from Corinthians.
The striker, who scored 31 goals last season, was coached by the Wolves manager in Brazil, giving Pereira extra incentive to reunite with the goalscorer.
Interestingly, Alberto made the headlines recently with regard to Wolves, as journalist Felippe Facincani raged at the forward’s omission from the Brazil national team squad, mentioning Cunha’s inclusion.
| Player | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Matheus Cunha | 36 | 14 | 8 |
| Yuri Alberto | 57 | 31 | 7 |
“Yuri Alberto is in a great moment. He is very decisive for Corinthians. He decides classics. In my opinion, he should be tested in the Brazilian national team.
“Did he leave him out to bring in Joao Pedro and Matheus Cunha? For the love of God,” Facincani said, as relayed by Torcedores.
The journalist’s rant continued, as he insisted that Alberto had a greater claim to Dorival Junior’s national team squad than both the Wolves and Brighton attackers.
“Joao Pedro from Brighton? Sorry. We watch the Premier League too. He scored a goal now, congratulations to him, but Yuri Alberto is making a huge impact.
“Matheus Cunha? Cool. But Yuri Alberto is at a point where he needs to at least be tested.”
Wolves could sign Yuri Alberto
Alberto missed out on the Selecao this time, giving Cunha a chance to make a name for himself at international level.
What’s interesting about the saga regarding Facincani’s opinion of the two players is that Alberto could one day be Cunha’s replacement at Wolves.
Given that Pereira is a big fan of Alberto having coached the player in the past, and that he tried to sign the goalscorer in the winter, it could be assumed that the forward remains on the Wolves manager’s radar.
If Wolves are to offload Cunha in the summer, the Brazilian could be seen as the perfect replacement, being a star already vetted by Pereira.
The Old Gold are aware of Alberto’s asking price at Corinthians, with a fee of £50m desired for his services.
The Brazilian journalist believes the Corinthians star is in a better light for the national team than Cunha at present, but can he do it in the Premier League? Wolves might just find out.