Matheus Cunha is likely now playing his final games for Wolves.
The Brazilian has had a tremendous season, in what has been a very turbulent campaign for Wanderers.
He has 14 Premier League goals to his name so far and without his contributions, Wolves may not have sealed their survival. Or at least, not sealed it anywhere near as comfortably as they are going to.
There was heavy speculation at the end of the January transfer window that Matheus Cunha might leave Molineux.
Nottingham Forest were considering a bid for Cunha, as were others.
But ultimately he stayed, and signed a new contract which we know includes a £62.5 million release clause.
That clause will likely be triggered, and it seems Manchester United are currently the club with the strongest interest.
It was recently claimed United felt they wouldn’t have to pay the release clause up front, and Molineux News can now share an update on Wolves’ position.
Wolves open to negotiations over payment of Matheus Cunha’s release clause
At this stage, Cunha remaining at Wolves beyond the summer is extremely unlikely.
And it’s Manchester United who are currently in pole position to sign the Brazilian this summer.
They see him as a perfect fit for their system, which is essentially the same as Wolves’ at the moment under Vitor Pereira.
United are very keen on Cunha, but the club’s financial problems recently have been well documented.
Some have wondered whether United would actually be able to fork out the £62.5 million required to sign Cunha.
Sources close Molineux News understand that there will be an openness on Wolves’ part for United not to pay the release clause all in one go.
We are told that Wolves will not settle for any less than the £62.5 million clause in total. However, Wolves are open to negotiations regarding the size of the initial payment.
- READ MORE: Who is Matheus Cunha? Everything you need to know about Wolves’ world-class Brazilian forward
Cunha to United looks likely
Despite their prolonged struggles, United remain a huge club and it seems there is a more than reasonable chance Cunha goes there this summer.
It was recently suggested Cunha is open to the move, and fresh speculation suggests Cunha would even make the move if United did not qualify for the Champions League through winning the Europa League.
What’s more, Ruben Amorim was seen talking to Cunha in the tunnel after Wolves’ win at Old Trafford at the weekend.
Perhaps that was all very innocent, but people will certainly look into it.
Ideally, Wolves would sell Cunha for the £62.5 million and receive all of the money up front.
But it seems that’s not an option for United. But Wolves may be powerless to do anything about it if United are Cunha’s top choice.