Although Matheus Cunha’s move to Manchester United won’t be a surprise to Wolverhampton Wanderers fans, it is still a blow.
Vitor Pereira has lost a proper Wolves maverick, the kind of player who could score at Anfield, but then also find a way to get sent off in a relatively uneventful cup tie.
Pereira seemed to be preparing for Matheus Cunha’s eventual departure towards the end of the season — he was left out of the starting eleven on occasion whilst Wolves planned around Jorgen Strand Larsen instead.
But Cunha will still need to be replaced, Wolves will need to find a creative number 10 to play behind Larsen, someone with an eye for a goal.
And whilst Pablo Sarabia has shown glimpses of match-winning quality, Wolves need a more consistent presence.
That being said, Wolves should now immediately launch a bid for Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott after seeing a different deal that Arne Slot has just approved.
Wolves are interested in Elliott according to reports, however, his £40m price tag might be somewhat prohibitive.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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However, after hearing news that Brentford are signing Caoimhin Kelleher for around £20m from Liverpool in the coming days, Wolves should chase their own bargain.
Brentford are getting something of a steal signing Kelleher for that price, a goalkeeper who wouldn’t look out of place playing for Slot, week in, week out.
And perhaps Wolves might be able to tempt Liverpool to sell Elliott for a reasonable price too given that Richard Hughes does have serious ambitions to upgrade his squad.
In addition, Elliott has suggested that he’s ready to leave Liverpool this summer, another reason for Wolves to launch a bid.
Harvey Elliott can replace Matheus Cunha
If Wolves were able to tempt Elliott to Molineux this summer then it would have to be considered a big coup.
Newcastle United have shown interest in Elliott in the past and he’s undoubtedly a player who deserves to be playing in Europe.
Of course, given Wolves’ form under Pereira in the second half of last season, they could easily convince incoming players that they are on that trajectory.
And someone like Elliott, who would be perfect playing in Cunha’s old role, might jump at the chance to be a key player elsewhere.
The England U21 international might also find it difficult to leave Liverpool given all of their recent success, but with Slot keen to sign Florian Wirtz, the writing might be on the wall for the former Fulham talent.