Liverpool are set to make a transfer move that hands Manchester United the £56 million they need to sign Matheus Cunha for Rúben Amorim this summer.
Manchester United are reportedly closing in on an agreement to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha this summer as they aim to strengthen Rúben Amorim’s attacking options.
This season, the team has struggled with consistent goal-scoring, relying heavily on captain Bruno Fernandes, especially after Amad’s injury kept him out for the last two months.
Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund have combined for just 18 goals this campaign, and only five players have exceeded ten goal involvements. Among them is Marcus Rashford, who is set to be sold this summer.
Given this, Amorim is keen to bring in players who will complement his 3-4-3 formation, with Cunha being an ideal fit for the left attacking role.
United need to sell to buy Cunha this summer
According to The Guardian, Amorim sees Cunha as his “prime target” this summer for the No. 10 position, while also wanting a new first-choice striker.
However, with the club knowing they must pay a £62.5 million release clause to sign the Brazilian international, it is likely that United will have to rely on player sales to secure him.
Within the report, several names are mentioned that United would be willing to let go of to secure Cunha’s transfer, including Rashford, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa. Within the deal, the Birmingham outfit retained the option to sign him for £40 million this summer.
Also named are Antony, currently on loan at Real Betis with a price tag of £30 million, Jadon Sancho, on loan at Chelsea and set to sign for the Blues for £25 million this summer, Casemiro, and Højlund.
While it’s stated that Casemiro’s fee would be nominal, United are said to be looking for a fee of around £30 million this summer to let go of Højlund, which is much lower than previous reports have stated.
How Liverpool can fund Cunha’s move
Within the report, it is also pointed out that should Rashford depart for Villa or any other side, United would be able to see the player’s £365,000 a week wages off their books, and with Rashford’s United contract still having three years remaining, this would save United around £56 million in wages.
Add the £40 million to this number, and Rashford’s sale could see the club amass around a £96 million swing, which The Guardian report notes would allow United to tie down Cunha to a five-year contract and pay the value of his release clause.
While Villa manager Unai Emery has been coy with respect to the topic of keeping Rashford at Villa beyond this summer, Liverpool’s interest in Ollie Watkins has the potential to cause a domino effect that could see Cunha move to Old Trafford.
According to reports from earlier this week, Villa are considering selling Watkins to Liverpool this summer, as they aim to utilise the funds generated from the sale to cover the £40 million required to retain Rashford at Villa Park beyond the end of the current season.
Should that Watkins deal go through, Villa would then be able to take Rashford off United’s hands, handing them the £96 million swing in funds that would get the Cunha transfer over the line this summer.
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