Gary O’Neil could lose one of his most important players this summer, as one Wolves star has been linked with a move away from Molineux.
There will be hope that the transfer window will stand for more than just exits this summer at Wolves, as Gary O’Neil eyes essential reinforcements.
The Englishman took charge after the financial crisis of last summer saw the squad depleted due to a mass of exits, with new faces now needed at Molineux.
While a range of players have been linked with a possible move to the Midlands, there has also been speculation that some players could depart, with Matheus Cunha being the latest.
Manchester United are interested in signing Matheus Cunha
It’s been reported that Manchester United want to sign Matheus Cunha this summer, in what would be a shock departure for the Old Gold to process.
The Mirror report that the Red Devils ‘consistently tracked’ the Brazilian last summer, adding that the 25-year-old is a player United ‘would like to recruit’ as Erik ten Hag assesses his strikers.
The report concludes with the claim that United would double the forward’s wages in the effort to ‘persuade’ Cunha to make the move, with Wolves set to understandably, ‘resist any attempt’.
With Pedro Neto said to be Arsenal’s prime target, and other stars at Molineux linked with a possible exit, it would be highly unlikely that O’Neil would entertain interest in a player as crucial as Cunha.
Losing Cunha would be worse for Gary O’Neil than losing Pedro Neto
After arriving at Molineux in January 2023 from Atletico Madrid, Cunha took his time to adapt to the Premier League, coming to life under O’Neil over the 2023/24 campaign.
The £60k-a-week Brazilian contributed to 19 Premier League goals for Wolves, via Sofascore, showing greater confidence playing in O’Neil’s system and becoming an integral part of the squad.
Alan Shearer called Cunha ‘outstanding’ for his form in the Old Gold during the season, adding that he looks a ‘completely different player’ playing in the new boss’ set-up.
Given how important the Brazil international has become to Wolves, and how key O’Neil’s coaching has been to developing his game, it would be a significant loss for the Midlands club to part ways with the forward this summer.
While Cunha isn’t the most prolific, his direct approach in games is vital for Wolves in attack, with no player at the club better than the 25-year-old when it comes to dribbling, averaging two per game, via WhoScored.
The uniqueness and sheer quality that the former Atletico outsider possesses would be incredibly hard to replace, making him arguably the most irreplaceable attacker at the club.
Neto’s threat on the flank would be considerably difficult to replace also, however, the Old Gold have shown they can deal without the Portugal international’s presence, due to his dire injury record.
It’s highly unlikely that O’Neil would allow a transfer for Cunha to be sanctioned, with the forward being so important to how Wolves play under the manager.