Wolves star Matheus Cunha has taken up many inches of the transfer gossip columns over the last few days.
The Molineux number 10’s has been thrown into doubt, after he and his agent were said to be stalling over a proposed new contract from Wolves.
It was thought there was a verbal agreement between club and player.
But no breakthrough was ultimately made, and speculation has been rife this week.
Cunha featured for Wolves in the 3-1 defeat against Chelsea on Monday, and came in for criticism from fans for the way he played. Some fans felt Cunha looked disinterested.
And then, manager Vitor Pereira called out Cunha for his body language – and it was this action from the manager that has led Paul Merson to suggest he will now leave the club.
Paul Merson explains why he thinks Matheus Cunha will now leave Wolves
Pereira calling Cunha out for his body language was slightly unexpected.
Cunha undoubtedly frustrated people on Monday, as he could be seen throwing his arms up in the air on several occasions.
He also didn’t press particularly well.
And there was one moment when Pereira was trying to communicate with him and show him his tactics board, and Cunha looked like he didn’t want to know.
For Merson, Pereira’s dressing down of the player suggests the Brazilian will be on his way in the coming days.
He told Sportskeeda: “I strongly believe they are about to lose their best player in Matheus Cunha!
“There is no way the manager picked on Cunha after the game if he thinks the player will stay. He’s their only top player and this news will turn a lot of heads. Arsenal are in need of a centre-forward but I doubt they will sign someone new in the January transfer window. You can’t get so much in this window anyway though.”
Anything could happen with Cunha
There have already been plenty of twists and turns in the Cunha saga, and there could well be more in the coming days.
Merson’s theory that Pereira’s criticism means Cunha will be on his way is questionable though.
Pereira hasn’t been at the club for long, but it’s already clear that he is not a man to hide what he feels. If he’s thinking something, he’s going to say it – and no one is exempt from criticism under him.
Cunha’s body language was bad against Chelsea and the manager felt obliged to say that. Perhaps he could have kept it in-house, but it’s important to send out a message that he won’t tolerate that.
Public criticism doesn’t necessarily mean Cunha is going to leave the club in the coming days. Indeed, it’s been reported that Wolves don’t want to sell Cunha, and they are likely to stand firm.