€75m release clause 

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“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.” Matheus Cunha has put several major Premier League clubs on alert after making it clear that he plans on leaving Wolves this summer to pursue a new challenge in an interview with the Guardian. The 25-year-old is enjoying the best season of his career with 17 goal contributions in 26 games in the league, despite Wolves’ struggles. 

The Brazilian international was subject to significant interest in the January window but he decided to remain at Molineux to help them avoid relegation. Moreover, Cunha penned a new contract in January until 2029 but, crucially, it contains a release clause of €75 million. While that transfer fee will be prohibitive for some clubs across Europe, it’s unlikely to deter Premier League suitors and we’ve analysed five potential summer destinations for Cunha. 

Five potential transfer destinations for Matheus Cunha

Arsenal 

Arsenal’s failure to address their deficiencies in attack has proven costly this season, especially after several injuries to key players. Cunha could be deployed in a variety of roles at the North London club and Arsenal have been heavily linked across recent months. Andrea Berta was appointed as Arsenal’s new sporting director on Sunday and the 53-year-old signed Cunha for Atletico Madrid from Hertha Berlin in 2021 and they could be reunited this summer. 

Liverpool 

There’s question marks over the future of several Liverpool attackers this summer and Cunha will be an attractive market opportunity. Anfield chiefs haven’t splurged a lot of money on transfers across recent seasons but that could change this summer. Mohamed Salah is yet to sign a new contract while Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz have been heavily linked with moves away. Cunha could play anywhere across the frontline for Arsenal and Liverpool were linked in January.

Manchester United

Cunha would be perfect for one of the number 10 roles in Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. The Brazilian was linked with a move to Old Trafford when he was at Atletico Madrid and that has continued during his spell at Wolves. However, Manchester United’s spending power this summer will be reliant on their ability to offload unwanted stars and whether they can qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.

Chelsea

Chelsea’s transfer spending has been haphazard under Todd Boehly’s ownership. Although they’ve focused on signing young talent with huge potential, Chelsea have increasingly been linked to Cunha. The Stamford Bridge club have a plethora of attacking talent on their books but several have failed to impress and there could be an opening on the left wing that would suit Cunha’s skillset. 

Nottingham Forest

Cunha was Nottingham Forest’s main transfer target in January and they had a bid rejected by Wolves. The City Ground appears an unrealistic destination for Cunha, given his desire to challenge for trophies for Forest are on track to qualify for the Champions League this season. Forest’s record transfer fee is €41.2m for Elliott Anderson last summer and they’d need to smash that to sign Cunha but they are hugely ambitious.