It’s football’s worst-kept secret that Matheus Cunha will leave Wolves this summer. The Brazilian has a relatively modest release clause in his deal and is already attracting a lot of interest.
Vitor Pereira will already be planning for life without Cunha, with Jorgen Strand Larsen ready to step up in his teammate’s absence.
And although Cunha is wanted by several teams, the latest club to make the Brazilian their top target is Newcastle United.
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Newcastle make Matheus Cunha top summer transfer target
The Magpies hope to add some quality to their squad in time for next season and, according to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, believe Cunha is the right profile of player to take them to the next level.
If the Geordies are successful in their quest for Champions League football, it will boost their chances of landing Cunha, and with the side fifth in the table, with a game in hand, St. James’ Park looks a possible destination.
A hugely exciting transfer prospect for the Toon, but one that would see Wolves faithful turn on the South American following such an up-and-down final campaign at Molineux.
Eddie Howe has surprise new position in mind for Brazilian
Irrespective of how much Arsenal admire Alexander Isak, Newcastle are unlikely to let the prolific Sweden international leave, and that will force Eddie Howe into a major tactical shift.
Not only does the thought of playing alongside fellow Brazil internationals, Bruno Guimares and Joelinton, appeal to Cunha, but Howe could challenge him by offering him a starting role in an unfamiliar position.
Although Cunha has spent his entire senior career to date playing as a narrow Number 10, Howe believes he is also capable of thriving in the Number 8 role in a three-man midfield if required — a significantly deeper position than the one the 25-year-old is used to, as proven by his heatmap this season.
Unfortunately for Wolves, their precarious position this season has meant Pereira has not had the luxury of experimenting with his best players.
Undeniably interested to see how Cunha would fare in a more playmaking role, fans, of both clubs, will pay close attention to what Howe does with Cunha if the Magpies do decide to trigger his £62.5 million release clause.
Nevertheless, with Cunha’s time in the Midlands inevitably coming to an end, it’s now in everybody’s best interests that a conclusion to this already-drawn-out saga is found sooner, rather than later.