Report: Man United Close to £62.5m Forward Deal as Payment Structure Set | OneFootball

Cunha to United: Evolution Over Revolution at Old Trafford

United’s Attack Gets a Brazilian Reboot

There was a time when Manchester United’s transfer strategy was a chaotic swirl of opportunism, name-chasing, and crisis. Yet in Matheus Cunha, they seem to be chasing something more measured—more mature. The Wolves forward is on the brink of sealing a £62.5m move to Old Trafford, as first reported by Sami Mokbel of the BBC, in what feels like a rare case of planning aligning with identity.

For a club still seeking fluency in its post-Ferguson identity, Cunha represents something intriguing. A forward forged in the Bundesliga and refined at Molineux, Cunha is less superstar, more system. This is not the Galáctico-model Manchester United. This is targeted evolution.

Value in Versatility and Vision

Cunha’s numbers are impressive—15 goals in 33 Premier League appearances this season alone. It is not just the volume that will have appealed to United, but the variety. He drifts wide, drops deep, connects midfield to forward line with a fluency the current squad sorely lacks.

Since joining Wolves, initially on loan from Atlético Madrid, the Brazilian has become a central figure in their attack. “Individually it was the best season of my life,” Cunha wrote in a heartfelt message to supporters. “I made mistakes and got things right, but always because I lived this club so much.”

That sentiment is telling. In a footballing world full of itinerant attackers, Cunha embraced Wolverhampton—not as a layover, but as home. That emotional investment won’t be lost on United’s fanbase, nor on Erik ten Hag, who has often spoken of the need for personality as well as performance.

A Clean Deal with No Drama

United are reportedly close to finalising the deal, with personal terms nearing completion. Wolves are yet to receive a formal approach, but as the reports states that’s a formality. The release clause of £62.5m simplifies the transaction—no wrangling, no drawn-out sagas. The structure is set: £20.8m upfront, another slice at the end of next season, and the balance by summer 2027. It was reported that United were seeking to pay the clause over five years, to help financially but Wolves have seemingly held firm.

Photo: IMAGO

For a club once held hostage by transfer windows, this has a different rhythm. It’s purposeful. It’s structured. It’s oddly… professional.

Shifting the Narrative at Old Trafford

Cunha’s arrival won’t fix Manchester United overnight. But it hints at a broader recalibration. The club appears to be targeting players on the rise rather than proven stars past their peak. This is less about brand and more about blend.

“I became the Brazilian with the most goals in a Premier League season along with Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Martinelli,” Cunha noted—modestly slotting himself into elite company. If he can bring even a fraction of Firmino’s intelligence and Martinelli’s drive, Old Trafford may have found a cornerstone for their next chapter.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester United fan’s perspective, the reported signing of Matheus Cunha signals a promising departure from some of the erratic recruitment policies of the past decade. The fee, while significant at £62.5m, feels justifiable given his current Premier League pedigree and the fact he’s entering his prime at 25.

Cunha brings energy, versatility, and hunger—all traits United’s frontline has lacked at times this season. He won’t carry the global superstardom of a Cristiano Ronaldo or the headline flair of a Sancho, but that may be exactly why he fits. The question now is whether he’ll be given the platform to thrive, and whether this signing is part of a coherent long-term plan. If United truly are building something sustainable under INEOS, this could be one of the first smart moves.