€45m market value 

©TM/IMAGO

During Matheus Cunha’s initial six-month loan spell at Wolves, he struggled. Signed for €35m by Atlético Madrid back in 2021 when he was just 21 years old, the Brazilian failed to make an impact in LaLiga – he scored just six goals in 40 league games for the Spanish giants. During his initial months in England, it looked as though the striker may also struggle in the Premier League; just two goals in 17 appearances in his loan spell led many to question whether the silky South American had the steel to succeed in the English top-flight. However, the appointment of Gary O’Neil just a matter of days before last season’s opening game injected some fire into Cunha, and he hasn’t looked back since.

In O’Neil’s first game in charge, Cunha tormented a disjointed Manchester United defence, and soon began turning his superb dribbling skills and switched-on footballing brain into direct goal contributions. Since the start of last season, only six players have more combined goals and assists in the Premier League than Cunha, and he is achieving those numbers for a side who have primarily been in the bottom half of the division. Cunha saw his market value rise from €25m to €45m over the course of last season, and he could even be set for a further rise in December’s Premier League market value update. 

How Gary O’Neil bought the best out of Matheus Cunha

To date, Cunha has endured a rather unconventional career path for a Brazilian player. Born in the port city of João Pessoa in north-eastern Brazil, Cunha played youth football for Coritiba before signing for Swiss side FC Sion in 2017 as an 18 year old, after impressing in an international tournament. From there, he signed a five-year-deal at RB Leipzig, before signing for Hertha Berlin where he began to really make an impact in European football. But as touched upon, his move to Atlético didn’t quite work out, and it’s now at O’Neil’s Wolves that Cunha is really beginning to flourish.

Following Wolves’ impressive 4-1 win at Fulham on Saturday, in which Cunha scored a brace, manager O’Neil was effusive in his praise for the Brazilian: “Everyone knows how important he is to us, but it’s also important to recognise the work that he’s put in since he has been here. This isn’t the Matheus Cunha that arrived at Wolves.” Cunha now has 26 goal contributions in his past 29 league starts, and has had to work hard to get to those numbers. Cunha himself after the match said, “I’m so happy. We try to have these kinds of shots in training.” Cunha’s work on the training pitch is paying off.

As illustrated in the graphic above, only six players have more Premier League goal contributions since the start of last season than Cunha’s 29. When we bare in mind that all of those six players above him play for clubs that finished in last season’s top six, it heightens Cunha’s achievements. Wolves had a tough start to the season which saw them linger in the relegation zone, but Cunha still didn’t shy away, and has helped drag his team up the table. His relationship with his manager has been key – they understand each other. “I love working with him. His talent is incredible,” added O’Neil.

Could Matheus Cunha be Brazil’s No.9?

Brazil have endured a miserable run of form. They have scored just 12 goals in 11 games. There is even a minute possibility that Brazil could miss out on qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in their history. Richarlison started the first three fixtures as striker, with Gabriel Jesus playing twice up top, and Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo also sharing the striker duty. Most recently Botafogo’s Igor Jesus has led the line. The position of striker is certainly up for grabs, and it could just be Cunha’s place to seize. He is currently the fourth most valuable Brazilian striker, only behind Endrick (€60m), G. Jesus (€55m), and João Pedro (€50m).

Cunha was left out of Brazil’s most recent squad for the November international break, and last played for Brazil in October 2023. It is of course a very competitive squad oozing with talent, but results and performances have been disappointing of late, and Cunha’s form is likely to be catching manager Dorival Júnior’s eye. The Wolves striker has already made 11 Brazilian caps, and will surely have his thoughts set on breaking into his nation’s squad for the next international break next March.

Will Wolves be able to hang on to Matheus Cunha?

“He’s going to stay at Wolves for as long as possible, firstly. But after that, there’s no limit to where he can go.” O’Neil admitted in his most recent interview. To the annoyance of Wolves fans, in current form, questions will continue to be posed about Cunha’s future, and it’s hard to see the West Midlands club hanging on the Brazilian if he maintains it. Wolves already lost star player Pedro Neto to Chelsea last summer in a €60m deal, and Cunha will most likely be their next player catching the eye of Europe’s top clubs. But who could try and sign him?

Manchester United have been consistently linked with Cunha for some time now, but would likely have to offload one of their current forward players to bring the Brazilian to Old Trafford. Arsenal have also reportedly shown interest, with many feeling the Gunners need another striker to get them over the line to win a first Premier League title since 2004. Manchester City, who let Julián Álvarez leave last summer have also been linked with Cunha’s services. He’s one of the most in-form, exciting strikers in Europe right now – Wolves have a Brazilian gem on their hands.