Now Wolves have mathematically secured their Premier League status for another campaign, Vitor Pereira will turn his attention to the summer transfer window.
A pivotal summer awaits Pereira and Wolves, who will need to significantly bolster their squad to climb up the table, with a replacement for Matheus Cunha on the agenda.
Manchester United are negotiating a deal for Cunha, including how to structure the payments of his £62.5 million release clause.
Cunha also has interest from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest but, as it stands, a move to Old Trafford is his preferred destination, regardless of whether they win the Europa League.
Although Wolves have played better without Cunha in recent weeks, Pereira will still need to find a replacement for the man who has 16 goals this term, and one exciting option has now emerged.
Wolves could replace Matheus Cunha with Joao Felix
Supporters will want Fosun to invest most of the transfer fee received for the Brazilian in a replacement, and according to TBR’s football transfer expert Graeme Bailey, Wolves have been linked with a shock move for Chelsea forward Joao Felix.
“Wolves’ links with Jorge Mendes are well known,” Bailey exclusively told Molineux News. “Felix is available his summer and he is name that has come up conversations. With Cunha leaving, Felix could be seen as an ideal fit, but there is a lot of interest in him despite his struggles at Milan.”
Benfica, who want to sign Nelson Semedo, are the European club showing the most interest in the 25-year-old ahead of this summer and are looking to strike a reunion with the duo.
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“I would keep an eye on Benfica, which is interesting given their hopes of landing Semedo from Wolves. Benfica hope to be able to bring in Semedo and Felix, which would be hugely popular with their fanbase.”
Wolves were linked with Felix in 2022 when the Portuguese forward was struggling at Atletico Madrid, but he instead joined Chelsea on loan and then made the permanent switch to Stamford Bridge last summer.
The 25-year-old only scored once in the Premier League for Chelsea this term and was loaned out to AC Milan in January, where his struggles have continued, returning zero goals in 10 Serie A appearances.
How Felix compares to Cunha
Although the ‘special’ Felix has struggled for consistency in recent years, and could now be heading out of Chelsea after just eight months at the club, Pereira could get the best out of him at Wolves.
Financially, a move perhaps doesn’t make sense, as the forward is on eye-watering wages, but his profile would fit nicely into the free role behind Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The 45-cap Portugal international is silky with the ball at his feet, capable of linking play superbly and finishing chances.
| Matheus Cunha vs Joao Felix career stats | Matheus Cunha | Joao Felix |
| Games | 266 | 316 |
| Goals | 71 | 90 |
| Assists | 42 | 44 |
As shown by the above table, Felix and Cunha have produced similar goal and assist metrics across their career.
It’s just a question of whether Pereira would be the man to get Felix back on track and firing in the Premier League, as he’s currently drained of confidence.