It's finally confirmed. Matheus Cunha has left Wolverhampton Wanderers to join Manchester United in a £62.5m deal.
The move was agreed last month, but the Brazilian has now officially departed, giving Vitor Pereira some funds to work with this summer.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha-1
Pereira will have to spend wisely to replace the former Atlético Madrid star, as he was capable of moments of genius for the club during his two-and-a-half-year stint in the Midlands.
Indeed, he perhaps single-handedly kept the club in the Premier League last season, especially after they suffered a dreadful start to the campaign.
Matheus Cunha's 2024/25 season in numbers
Last season, he finished with 23 goal contributions – 17 goals and six assists – across 36 matches for the club in all competitions.
It was his displays in the top flight, however, that earmarked him as a target for several clubs.
Matheus Cunha's Wolves' statistics
Season
2024/25
2023/24
2022/23
Via Transfermarkt
In the Premier League, he ranked first among the Wolves’ first-team squad for goals and assists (21), shots on target per match (1.3), big chances created (13) and key passes per game (1.8).
These statistics were mighty impressive, and it makes Pereira’s job of sourcing a replacement that much harder.
He has money to spend, that much is certain. But spending it on the right players will be the most important aspect.
Wolves search for a Matheus Cunha replacement
As reported by journalist Sebastien Denis earlier this week, writing for Foot Mercato, Wolves are reportedly targeting a swoop for FC St Gallen striker Willem Geubbels this summer.
Leeds United are also keen on securing his services following a prolific campaign in Switzerland.
William Geubbels
A €10m (£8.5m) asking price is all that stands in Pereira’s way and given the financial rewards on offer for another season in the top flight, this fee won't be any issue whatsoever.
Across 31 matches in the Swiss Super League for St. Gallen, Geubbels scored 14 goals and grabbed three assists.
Although typically deployed as a centre-forward, the youngster is also able to operate on either wing, and this flexibility will be a major bonus for the club.
This is evidenced by his performance across a range of metrics. Geubbels created seven big chances in the Swiss top flight, while also averaging 1.4 key passes and 2.5 total shots per game for St. Gallen.
Not quite at Cunha’s level, yet. But a move to Wolves could see him improve swiftly, especially with exposure to some of the best defenders in Europe.
Hailed as both “powerful” and “quick” by Kai Watson writing in the Rangers Journal in January 2024, Geubbels will offer plenty to the current Wolves squad.
Willem-Geubbels-leeds
Watson also stated that the youngster “plays the deeper role as part of a front two because of his creative ability.” And this could see him exuding the qualities that made Cunha such a hit at Molineux since joining in 2023.
Pereira must act quickly to snap up the young forward, especially as plenty of interested parties are keen.
molineux-stadium Related
[Wolves now in transfer race with Leeds to sign "future star" for £8.5m](https://www.footballfancast.com/wolves-in-transfer-race-with-leeds-to-sign-geubbels-from-st-gallen/ "Wolves now in transfer race with Leeds to sign "future star" for £8.5m")
Wolves are among the teams keen on signing an exciting young forward.