Wolves are reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid forward Matheus Cunha during the January transfer window but face competition from other clubs.
Newly-appointed Wanderers boss Julen Lopetegui is hopeful of striking a double deal with Atletico Madrid to land both defender Felipe and forward Matheus Cunha, with the latter expected to arrive on a loan deal with a view to a permanent move.
According to 90 min, Matheus Cunha wants to work with Wolves’ new boss Julen Lopetegui but he wants to explore all the options before making a final decision on his next destination. Everton, Aston Villa and Leeds United are all interested in the Atletico Madrid forward and have contacted his representatives, the report adds.
Atletico Madrid are very much keen to offload Cunha’s high wages after suffering elimination in the Champions League and would be prepared to let him leave on loan in the January transfer window, which has attracted the interest of a number of clubs including Wolves.
Matheus Cunha to Wolves—Can he solve their goal-scoring woes?
Matheus Cunha, 23, joined Atletico Madrid from Hertha BSC in 2021 in a deal of around €26m. He looked a bargain for that fee initially, racking up six goals and as many assists in his debut La Liga season, but the forward has failed to match that momentum and live up to the high expectations of the fans.
In recent history, the Brazil international is among a host of young players who arrived at Atletico with great promise and potential and found life under Diego Simeone difficult to cope with. And while Cunha has had his moments under Simeone, he is another talent who looks destined to leave the Spanish capital having found the Argentinean tactician’s rigid system almost impossible to crack.
Wolves are among a number of clubs willing to give Cunha an escape route out of Atletico. The Wanderers are at the basement of the table and appointed Julen Lopetegui in November to save them from relegation. No team in the English top flight has scored fewer goals than Wolves in 2022/23, and that is enough to suggest what Lopetegui’s immediate priority is heading into the winter market.
With Diego Costa, Raul Jimenez, Hwang Hee-chan and Goncalo Guedes failing to score goals consistently for Wolves during the first part of the season, Lopetegui wants to address his team’s biggest area of concern by signing a potent goal-scorer. That said, however, Cunha doesn’t fall into the category of prolific goal-scorers by any means.
Cunha has scored 39 goals in 178 appearances in his club career so far, including seven strikes in 54 games for Atletico Madrid. In fact, he is yet to open his account this season after 17 appearances across all competitions. This is evident enough to suggest the Brazilian isn’t a prolific goal-scorer.
Cunha would certainly give Wolves’ toothless attack some much-needed bite with his speed, creativity, flair and movement, but he isn’t the player who could solve the club’s goal-scoring woes. So, if Wolves do manage to get the Brazilian forward’s signature, Lopetegui must target another striker to improve his team’s productivity in front of goal.
