Wolverhampton Wanderers top scorer Matheus Cunha signed a new contract with the club earlier this season but remains heavily linked with a move away from Molineux
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Updated 09:41, 31 Mar 2025
Matheus Cunha in action for Brazil
Matheus Cunha in action for Brazil(Image: Getty Images)
Despite holding onto Matheus Cunha amid January interest, Wolverhampton Wanderers look set to lose their top scorer this summer. The Brazil international signed a contract extension in January, but that is no guarantee of him staying at Molineux.
Cunha's new deal comes with a release clause of around £62.5million. It appears unlikely he would be allowed to leave for any less than that, but he has indicated this month that he's likely to move in the summer.
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“I had a lot of offers (to leave in January) but I wouldn’t feel well if I had done it,” Cunha told The Guardian. “Some things you can’t control but I couldn’t leave the club in the middle of the season, in a difficult situation, in the relegation zone.
“Now, we’re close to achieving our goal [of staying up]. But I’ve made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential.”
Arsenal were among the interested parties in January, but they're not the only ones who could pounce in the summer. Here, Mirror Football takes a closer look at the striker's potential suitors.
READ MORE: Matheus Cunha's release clause revealed as Arsenal and Liverpool put on red alertREAD MORE: Arsenal targets expressed same Mikel Arteta concern as Gunners appoint new sporting director
Arsenal
Arsenal's attacking woes were laid bare when injury struck in January and February. With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the season, and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli only just getting back in contention, Mikel Arteta's team have struggled for goals in the league.
Cunha was one of two players eyed up in January, along with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. They could return in the summer, but other targets - including Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike - have also been considered.
Kai Havertz watching Arsenal vs PSV
Kai Havertz is still some way from a return(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Much will depend on the preferences of Andrea Berta. The Italian has joined as Arsenal's new sporting director, and may well have his own ideas when it comes to what they need in a striker.
Liverpool
While Arsenal's approach might be motivated by a current lack within the squad, Liverpool's will hinge on the future of those already at the club. Mohamed Salah is out of contract in the summer, and he might not be the only one leaving.
Mohamed Salah during the 2025 Carabao Cup final
Mohamed Salah's future remains uncertain(Image: Getty Images)
It remains to be seen whether Salah stays, and indeed what kind of profile of forward the Reds want to replace him with if he does. Cunha could end up being a handy successor to Darwin Nunez rather than Salah, though, with the Uruguayan still linked with a Saudi Pro League switch.
Cunha has scored five Wolves goals in 2025, despite only playing nine times. Liverpool forwards Nunez, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota have just six between them in the same period.
Manchester United
Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund during Man Utd vs Crystal Palace
Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have struggled for goals at Manchester United this season
Manchester United's attacking woes have been well-documented this season. Marcus Rashford has more Premier League goals for the club this season than either Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee despite leaving on loan in early February, and that tells its own story.
A number of strikers have been linked, not least Viktor Gyokeres. The Swede thrived under Ruben Amorim in Portugal in the first few months of the season, and a reunion has been mooted, but Cunha is also being monitored as an alternative.
Things may hinge on United's success - or otherwise - in the Europa League. If Amorim's men fail to win the competition, then there's every chance Cunha turns them down in favour of a club competing in Europe next term.
Aston Villa
Marcus Rashford scoring for Aston Villa
Aston Villa have yet to make a decision on Marcus Rashford's long-term future
The appeal of Champions League football at Villa Park has been plain to see this year. Marco Asensio and the aforementioned Rashford joined in the winter window, and are now just two two-legged wins away from a spot in the final in Munich.
Both Asensio and Rashford are only on loan, and their respective futures could have a bearing on Cunha's plans. If he does move to Villa Park, though, he might not even have to move house.
Villa can still qualify for next season's Champions League, either by winning this season's edition or by improving their league standing. They're three points behind fifth-place Manchester City as things stand, and that slight bit of improvement might be what they need to convince Cunha to link up with Unai Emery.
Nottingham Forest
Chris Wood in action for Nottingham Forest
Chris Wood has led the line for Forest this season(Image: AP)
While we're on the topic of Champions League qualification, it would be remiss to overlook Forest. Nuno's team sit third in the table, six points above City, and face a huge nine games as they look to ensure the season's hard work doesn't go to waste.
Forest are also due to take on City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup after a penalty shoot-out win against Brighton. A seat at Europe's top table might be a bigger draw than a trophy win when it comes to new signings, but the latter could also be enough to convince Cunha to feel he's joining a team moving in the right direction.
He'd also likely be the main man at the City Ground, with current top scorer Chris Wood set to turn 34 in December. He can't necessarily say the same about those other options.
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