Manchester United ‘Ready’ to Sign £62.5m Forward on £200,00-per-week – Report | OneFootball

Manchester United’s Pursuit of Matheus Cunha: Pragmatic Progress or Financial Gamble?

Manchester United are reportedly preparing a structured offer for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ forward Matheus Cunha, aiming to pay the £62.5 million release clause in staggered instalments. The Telegraph revealed this development, which underscores both United’s transfer ambition and their cautious financial recalibration under Premier League spending rules.

At 25, Cunha represents both a peak-age acquisition and a calculated risk for a club in flux. Signed by Wolves for £44 million from Atlético Madrid after a productive loan spell, the Brazilian has netted 16 goals this season and played a key role in ensuring the Midlands club’s top-flight survival. That return has not gone unnoticed, particularly by new United manager Ruben Amorim, who is prioritising attacking reinforcements this summer.

Amorim, when speaking ahead of the 1-0 defeat to Wolves on Easter Sunday, praised Cunha—albeit indirectly—as a player capable of turning games:

“I was just using the Brazil international as an example,” he clarified, careful not to fan transfer flames prematurely.

Photo IMAGO

Payment Plans Reflect Financial Prudence

The manner in which United are approaching the deal is telling. With the club recording financial losses in six of the past seven years, the decision to structure payments over three or four instalments is seen as a way of managing the balance sheet while still investing in talent.

This is more than just a financial manoeuvre. It’s a reflection of how modern transfer dealings are evolving. Clubs like United, still dealing with the fallout from years of over-spending and underperformance, must tread carefully. Staggered payments allow them to remain competitive in the market without risking immediate breaches of profit and sustainability regulations.

For Wolves, the prospect of recouping their investment—potentially with a substantial profit—while avoiding immediate upheaval to their squad structure could make the proposal palatable.

“I hope that he stays with us a long time,” Wolves manager Vitor Pereira admitted, “but I understand that, as a special player, he will have opportunities in his career because he is not only a special technical player, he also has a good personality.”

Photo IMAGO

Cunha’s Rise and Premier League Adaptation

It’s easy to see why Cunha has become such a desirable asset. This season, he’s emerged as Wolves’ most dynamic forward—capable of playing across the front line, holding the ball under pressure, and contributing consistently in front of goal. His 16-goal tally is his most prolific in top-flight football, a figure that dwarfs those of many attacking options currently at United’s disposal.

His new contract at Wolves made him their highest-paid player, and should he make the move to Old Trafford, he would likely command a salary exceeding £200,000 per week. While that’s a hefty figure, it aligns with the club’s current wage structure and ambition under Amorim’s leadership.

Photo: IMAGO

Amorim’s Vision Coming Into Focus

The timing of this move feels deliberate. Amorim, early in his United tenure, has clearly identified areas for improvement, and Cunha ticks several boxes. Versatile, experienced in Europe, yet still with room to grow, he offers the kind of technical and mental attributes the Portuguese coach seems to value.

It’s significant that Amorim cited Cunha in his pre-match media duties, even if only as an illustrative example. That suggests the player embodies the profile of forward the manager is seeking to build around—press-resistant, tactically fluid, and comfortable shouldering responsibility.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

While nothing is confirmed yet, the mere fact that Manchester United are actively pursuing someone like Matheus Cunha feels like a step in the right direction. Under Amorim, it’s clear there’s a footballing philosophy forming—one that values intelligent, hardworking players with flair. Cunha fits that mould perfectly.

Sure, paying in instalments may look like penny-pinching to some, but let’s be honest—we’ve seen far too many reckless signings in the past. If this deal gets done with some financial prudence and results in a player who actually delivers on the pitch, fans will be more than happy. It’s better to pay smart for a player who fits than to splurge on a marquee name who doesn’t suit the system.

What excites us the most is that this feels like a signing with a purpose. Cunha wouldn’t just be another name added to the payroll—he’d be a vital piece in the puzzle Amorim is building. If the board backs him and Cunha can replicate even 75% of his Wolves form, we might finally see a United side that plays with energy, fluidity, and intent. It’s the start of something, not just another headline.