Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha, playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League in August 2024.placeholder image
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha, playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League in August 2024. | Wolves via Getty Images
Wolverhampton Wanderers will have their work cut out to replace two departed stars
Wolverhampton Wanderers entered this summer transfer window knowing it was an important one under Vitor Pereira, but the job at hand became a lot more difficult after two key players departed Molineux just days into the window.
The departure of Matheus Cunha was anticipated for several months, as the 26-year-old had struck 27 Premier League goals in his last two seasons and became Wolves’ talismanic figure as Pereira’s side rose clear of relegation worries. Cunha departed for his full release clause of £62.5m, a clause which was added to his new contract in February to ensure the club extracted full value from the Brazilian. He will now begin a new chapter with Manchester United.
Direct replacements for either Cunha or Ait-Nouri have yet to be signed, so we asked AI to predict who Wanderers could bring in as bold new signings this summer to replace their departed stars.
Cunha to be replaced with ‘Colombian Pele’?
Wolves have been linked with Fluminense playmaker Jhon Arias and Grok AI believes they will get their man, securing Arias as a top replacement for the departed Cunha.
The 27-year-old has at times been dubbed the ‘Colombian Pele’ - the highest of accolades for any South American footballer - and he can play in the No.10 or as a winger, offering a versatility that could replace Cunha’s creativity and attacking influence on the team. Arias has scored 47 goals in 229 games with Fluminense. The Brazilian outfit are reportedly demanding £44m for the player, which would equal Wolves’ record signing (which, incidentally, was Cunha).
South American football expert Igor of Netflu recently said: “Arias probably hasn’t moved to Europe yet, because the president of Fluminense is working hard to keep him at the club, knowing that he is currently the best player in South American football. After the Club World Cup, where the entire planet knows Arias’ brilliant football, I am very concerned about the clubs’ interest and interest in the player. I believe that we are going to lose him.
“The value of Jhon Arias, a player affectionately nicknamed ‘Colombian Pele’, is immeasurable. If it happens, it has to be for a value as high as Fluminense’s prize money in the World Cup.”
Rayan Ait-Nouri replacement could be Barcelona star
In what would be a very bold move, AI has predicted Wolves will raid Barcelona for 23-year-old left-back Gerard Martin. This would be a nod to the great piece of business Wanderers did when signing Nelson Semedo from the Catalan giants in 2020, with Barca reportedly valuing Martin at €20m (£17.3m).
Martin made 42 appearances in his first season with the Barcelona first team, but may have a limited role to play next season and has attracted attention from Premier League clubs such as Wolves. Sport Witness have reported that Wanderers may ‘significantly improve his salary’, which could attract Martin to leave Catalonia and move to Molineux and the Premier League.
If Wolves can get the signings of Arias and Martin over the line, they could go a long way to moving on from the exits of Cunha and Ait-Nouri. They would be signing two players of similar age profiles and skillsets for significantly cheaper fees, potentially offering resale value along with the chance to grow and improve their game with the challenge of the Premier League. Wolves should attempt to push for both deals if the chance is there.
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