Cunha transfer latest: Man Utd's bid to sign Wolves striker with offer of Rashford swap

Manchester United are intensifying their pursuit of Wolves’ forward Matheus Cunha, with reports suggesting the Red Devils could propose a swap deal.

As manager Ruben Amorim seeks to bolster United’s attacking options Cunha's arrival and Marcus Rashford going the other way would help as they try to balance financial restraints.  

Cunha has emerged as a top target for Manchester United, with the 25-year-old’s versatility and goal-scoring prowess making him an ideal fit for Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.

Cunha, who has scored 14 Premier League goals and provided four assists in the 2024-25 season, is seen as a perfect candidate to play as a left-sided No. 10, a role where United lack a natural fit.

His ability to operate across the front line, combined with his flair, close control, and knack for creating chances, has earned him plaudits from Wolves manager Vitor Pereira, who described him as a “special player” capable of producing “magic from nothing.”

United’s interest in Cunha is driven by their dismal attacking output, with only 38 goals in 33 Premier League matches this season, a tally worse than all but five teams.

Strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled, combining for just 15 goals across all competitions, with Zirkzee sidelined by a season-ending injury.

Cunha’s 16 goals in all competitions have convinced United’s hierarchy that he could provide the creativity and dynamism their attack desperately needs.

According to reports, United are “inching closer” to an agreement with Cunha, who has a £62.5 million release clause in his Wolves contract, signed in February 2025.

The Athletic notes that United have held positive contract talks with the Brazilian international, who is “eager” to play a pivotal role under Amorim, despite rival interest from Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest.

Cunha’s representatives have already engaged in discussions with United officials, and his agent has flown to England to negotiate terms, signaling that a deal could be finalized early in the summer window.

To navigate financial constraints under the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), United are exploring creative solutions, including a potential swap deal involving Marcus Rashford, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa.

Rashford, 27, has rediscovered his form at Villa Park, scoring four goals and providing six assists in 17 appearances, but his relationship with Amorim remains strained, and multiple sources indicate he is unlikely to return to United while the Portuguese manager is in charge.

Wolves, who are level on points with United in 14th place, could be tempted by Rashford’s Premier League pedigree and recent performances, particularly as they face the prospect of losing Cunha.

A swap deal would allow United to offset Cunha’s £62.5 million release clause while providing Wolves with a proven forward to maintain their attacking threat.

Rashford’s £40 million permanent transfer option with Villa complicates matters, but United could negotiate with both clubs to facilitate the exchange, potentially offering additional cash or players like Alejandro Garnacho, who has also been linked with a move away.

However, swap deals are notoriously difficult to execute, and Rashford’s preference for Champions League football could pose a hurdle. Wolves are unlikely to qualify for European competition, and Rashford’s camp has ruled out moves to London-based clubs like Crystal Palace, focusing instead on clubs like Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain.

Wolves’ insistence on receiving Cunha’s release clause in full, though open to instalments, further complicates the financial structure of any swap deal.

Cunha is just one piece of Amorim’s ambitious rebuild at Old Trafford, with United linked to several high-profile attackers to address their goal-scoring woes.

The club is also pursuing Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, and Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui, with discussions held over RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

A reported €105 million double swoop for Atalanta’s Ederson and Retegui underscores INEOS’s willingness to invest heavily, provided they can generate funds through player sales.

To fund these moves, United are prepared to offload several players, including Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Casemiro, and Tyrell Malacia.

The potential £100 million windfall from winning the Europa League, where United face Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, could significantly boost their transfer budget, while their current 14th-place standing risks a £24 million loss in Premier League merit payments compared to last season’s eighth-place finish.

United face stiff competition for Cunha’s signature. Newcastle United have made contact with his camp, eyeing him for a left-sided attacking role, while Arsenal are monitoring the situation to bolster Mikel Arteta’s forward line.

Nottingham Forest, who had an enquiry rejected in January, are keen to make Cunha their record signing if they secure Champions League qualification. Liverpool have also been linked, with suggestions of a swap deal involving Diogo Jota, though this remains speculative.

Cunha’s disciplinary record—two red cards and six games missed through suspension this season—may raise concerns, though United view his emotional outbursts as an anomaly that can be channeled into his game.

His public statements add complexity, as he has oscillated between expressing happiness at Wolves and hinting at a desire to “take the next step” and fight for titles. In February 2025, Cunha clarified a misinterpreted quote, emphasizing his gratitude to Wolves and commitment to the club, but his earlier comments to The Guardian about seeking a new challenge have kept transfer rumors alive.

If United can secure Cunha, whether through a swap deal or by triggering his release clause, the Brazilian could be a transformative addition to Amorim’s squad.

His ability to play as a No. 10, drift into pockets of space, and drive forward with 118 take-ons in the Premier League this season makes him a unique talent capable of linking midfield and attack. Gary Neville has endorsed Cunha as a “good fit” for United’s attacking midfield roles, highlighting the void left by the departures of Sancho, Rashford, and Antony.

For Wolves, parting with their talisman would be a blow, but Rashford’s arrival could soften the impact, offering a high-profile replacement with the potential to thrive under Pereira’s guidance.

For United, the success of this deal will depend on their ability to navigate PSR constraints, outmaneuver rival clubs, and convince Cunha that Old Trafford is the right destination, even without guaranteed European football next season.

As negotiations progress, United fans will be hopeful that Cunha’s flair and goal-scoring instincts can spark a revival, while the prospect of Rashford’s permanent exit underscores the scale of Amorim’s rebuild. With key terms reportedly set to be agreed next month, this transfer saga promises to be one of the summer’s most intriguing developments.