Matheus Cunha’s transfer to Manchester United is currently being held up for two reasons despite Rúben Amorim activating his release clause.
Manchester United are set to confirm the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the Brazilian forward joining on a five-year deal worth £62.5 million. The move marks a key early addition under head coach Rúben Amorim and reflects the club’s desire to strengthen the squad quickly.
Cunha is Amorim’s first signing of the summer and is seen as a crucial fix for a forward line that has lacked consistency and cutting edge. His speed, creativity, and work rate are expected to add energy and variety to United’s attack.
The £62.5 million fee will be paid in three instalments, starting with an initial £20.8 million once the deal is finalised. The remaining payments will be spread over the coming year to ease financial pressure.
At 26, Cunha is expected to start on the left side of United’s front three, ahead of Alejandro Garnacho, whose potential departure now looks more likely amid growing transfer interest.
Why Cunha still hasn’t been announced
It has been widely reported in the media over the last week or so that Cunha to United is a transfer that is effectively completed, with United triggering his release clause and the player being given the green light to undergo his medical.
However, despite initial reports that the transfer was likely to be announced earlier this week, no announcement has been forthcoming, with neither United nor Wolves yet to communicate anything official.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has clarified the situation, explaining that the announcement is being held up by his visa application and an issue with his medical involving the Brazilian national team.
“Matheus Cunha to Manchester United is a done deal, but many of you keep asking me, Manchester United fans, where is Matheus Cunha, in the sense that there is no medical, no deal signed, no official statement, no formal steps,” Romano started.
“Let me clarify to you that my understanding is that it’s just about waiting for his visa. So Matheus Cunha is waiting for his visa, meanwhile Manchester United are preparing everything for the medical, for the contract signing.
“Then, for sure, the formal steps will also be coordinated with the Brazilian national team staff, because then Matheus Cunha will join the Brazilian national team with Carlo Ancelotti. So they are working on the location, they are working on every single step, including the visa, but Matheus Cunha will be a Manchester United player.
“Don’t worry about that, also because Man United already started exchanging all the documents with Wolves, after they triggered the 62.5 million pounds release clause, paid by the end of 2027 in instalments.
“So, everything is agreed, everything is done, the player will sign a five-year deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers, so Cunha will go to United.”
United looking to ramp up Mbeumo pursuit after Cunha deal
United launched their attack for the 2025 summer transfer window by aiming to secure both Cunha and Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. However, the latter instead chose to head to Chelsea after they qualified for the Champions League.
In light of missing out on Delap, United are set to ramp up their pursuit of Brentford star winger Bryan Mbeumo, who notched 20 Premier League goals last campaign.
As the player is in the final year of his contract, the London outfit will have little choice but to sell their best player, with United and Newcastle both heavily interested in his signature amid a £50 million price tag.
Despite United having no European football and Newcastle being back in the Champions League, United still have a real shot at securing the Cameroon winger this summer, as he is more open to being part of a larger project.
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