Arsenal face double Cunha threat after CLUB-RECORD offer

Tom Weber

Updated: 24 Jan 2025 21:26 GMT
4 min read

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are ready to rival Arsenal for the signature of Matheus Cunha, according to a report.

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The Wolves star is refusing to sign a new contract after learning of high-profile interest from elsewhere in the Premier League. Cunha had previously been in brilliant form but the recent speculation has seemingly affected him and he was recently criticised by head coach Vitor Pereira for his body language.

Arsenal have been the club most prominently linked with the Brazilian forward in recent days and FootballTransfers exclusively revealed earlier this week that an agreement on personal terms would not be an issue, with Cunha open to the move.

A much bigger problem would be the valuation of the player as Arsenal are not willing to shell out more than around €53 million, while Wolves would only consider a mid-season sale for a fee in excess of €80m.

It has been claimed that Cunha is not actively pushing for a move away from Molineux, but clubs clearly think that there is business to be done, with more suitors now having joined Arsenal in pursuit of the 25-year-old.

Arsenal face Cunha rivals

Sky Sports reported on Thursday that Nottingham Forest had begun taking a keen interest in the situation of Cunha and that they were ready to make a club-record offer for the striker.

Now, the same outlet states that Aston Villa have also joined the race for Cunha, although a lot of pieces would first have to fall into place before Unai Emery, Monchi and company could consider signing him.

For one, Aston Villa would first have to offload one of their forward players, while also ensuring that they remain compliant with Profit and Sustainability Rules.

As for Wolves, they continue to insist that the Brazilian is not for sale, with club sources claiming that they are relaxed about the situation. They don't feel under any pressure to sell and, with two-and-a-half years left on Cunha's current deal, don't face any immediate threat of losing him for free.

Intriguingly, the report also claims that at least two more unnamed Premier League sides are keen on Cunha. Given his persistent links with a move to Old Trafford, Man Utd are perhaps one of them.