Matheus Cunha has finally completed his move to the Premier League - months after being heavily linked with Manchester United.
But rather than a move to Old Trafford to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, the Brazilian will sign for relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers. New Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui confirmed a deal with Atletico Madrid has now been completed, with the forward becoming his first signing in the Molineux dugout.
“Today I have to talk about him, it’s clear he is going to be with us. He is going to happen once the market is open,” Lopetegui explained on Friday.
“Now he’s going to be our player, but in the next matches we have to focus on the players that are here. He’s a good player, I know him and I think he’s a good signing for us for the present and the future. When the market opens, Cunha is going to help us."
Wolves will need Cunha to hit the ground running if his Premier League dream is to last longer than five months. Wolves sit bottom of the table ahead of the resumption of domestic fixtures, having scored just eight times in 15 matches.
But had things panned out differently, the 23-year-old would have been battling for a top-four spot, rather than avoiding one in the bottom three. During ‘Act One’ of the Cristiano Ronaldo saga, the forward had made it clear that he hoped to leave before the start of his second season back at the club.
That meant United were forced to look at potential alternatives to the Portuguese icon, with reports suggesting Cunha was firmly on the radar. Speculation went as far as suggesting the Red Devils had agreed a £42million fee with Atleti, only for a deal to never materialise.
Four months later and United remain in the market for a forward player, with Ronaldo’s acrimonious exit completed before the start of the World Cup. And Lopetegui, who has managed Real Madrid, Spain and Sevilla before Wolves - believes his new side have pulled off a real statement in signing the Brazil international.
“I think he is a complete forward,” Lopetegui added. “He has good condition, good skills, not just technically but physically because this is England and you have to be able to compete to survive.
“He has this profile to play here for a lot of years. We are going to help him to develop his strengths in the future. When the market opens, Cunha is going to help us.
“All leagues are different but football is the same. I talk about special skills for England because one of the clear strengths is the physical strengths of the players. There are strong players.”
Decision makers from Manchester will likely be keeping an eye on Cunha’s exploits in the Black Country, particularly if January proves to be a frustrating month. Mirror Football understands that Cody Gakpo remains Ten Hag’s top priority for next month and talks have already been opened with PSV.
At the £43m fee Wolves are obligated to pay in the summer, Cunha represents a significant risk. But should United get into February without further attacking reinforcements - they could be left regretting their hesitancy.
