An important moment in Wolves’ recent history was signing Matheus Cunha, who has gone from strength to strength since joining in January 2023.
Cunha, who signed for £44 million from Atletico Madrid over two years ago, is now Wolves most important player and one who could break a club-record fee this summer.
Wolves inserted a £62.5 million release clause in Cunha’s new contract to warn off interest in January and to keep the big clubs circling.
The Brazilian is enjoying a career-best campaign with 15 goals in all competitions, including 13 in the Premier League, with the 25-year-old accounting for 44% of their goal involvements.
It’s been an incredible improvement since he first moved to Molineux, as many felt he would become a flop after struggling in the early stages.
But now, he’s destined to become a world-class centre-forward, and there’s one man who deserves credit for signing him.
- READ MORE: Dave Edwards thinks Wolves have ‘one of the best’ in the Premier League – it’s not Matheus Cunha
How Julen Lopetegui convinced Matheus Cunha to join Wolves
It was seen as a huge statement signing when Wolves broke their transfer record to sign the Brazil international.
Although the Wanderers were embroiled in a relegation battle, then-manager Julen Lopetegui was able to convince Cunha to join Wolves ahead of league rivals Leeds United and Everton.
Speaking in January 2023, the Spanish boss explained how he managed to convince him of the project in Wolverhampton despite struggling at the bottom.
“We explained to him our project,” Lopetegui said via the Shropshire Star. “Each player sees our position in the table and sometimes we are not in the best position to convince the player. But in the end he wanted to come here, he believes in the future and he can be part of the present.
“He’s one more player for us and we will try and take advantage of him. The goals are a job for all of the team, not just the forwards.
“Before you score goals, you have to work a lot in all facets of the matches. We have to be ready.”
Lopetegui didn’t get the best out of Cunha
In the build-up to the 2023/24 campaign, Lopetegui walked out of Wolves after feeling he wasn’t backed by Fosun during the summer transfer window.
Perhaps it was a blessing that the Spaniard departed the club, as while Gary O’Neil replaced him, Lopetegui didn’t get the best out of Cunha.
| Matheus Cunha’s record under Julen Lopetegui |
| 20 games |
| 2 goals |
| 1 assists |
Although Cunha had a very good relationship with Lopetegui, he didn’t suit the managers style, as suggested by a return of just two goals in 20 matches.
Some of his issues could be put down to adapting to life in England’s top-flight but as he’s excelled in a Wolves shirt since, maybe the former Real Madrid boss was the problem.