Man Utd hold talks with "sensational" goal threat’s agent - rivals considered ‘club record bid’ in January

Manchester United have reportedly held talks with the agent of Wolves star Matheus Cunha as they look to win the race to sign the Brazilian this summer.

The forward penned a contract extension at the club back in February, which keeps him at Molineux until the summer of 2029. However, despite signing those fresh terms, he came out last month and said he was ready to take the next step in his career.

The Brazilian admitted he had a lot of offers to leave Wolves in January but he would not have felt right leaving the club as they battled relegation. Now the club are 12 points clear of Ipswich Town, as he said last month: “I've made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential."

Man Utd hold talks with Matheus Cunha representatives

Give Me Sport has reported that United have held talks with Cunha’s agent, with the Wolves player a key target for the Manchester club this summer. The Red Devils are seeking a striker this window, with Ipswich’s Liam Delap their preferred target, while they are also looking at another forward who can play in behind a number nine.

Cunha can fit that mould, having played as a second striker and as an attacking midfielder for Wolves this campaign. He has netted 13 goals in 26 games in the Premier League and provided four assists. United have lacked goals this term, with just 37 goals in 31 Premier League games. Cunha’s new contract at Wolves does contain a £62.5m release clause but is attracting interest from a number of the Red Devils’ Premier League rivals.

The report claims that Cunha’s preference is to join a more traditional top-six club, which could come as good news for United amid interest from Nottingham Forest. Speaking about the player earlier this season, former Manchester City player Micah Richards heaped praise on Cunha. Speaking on Match of the Day, he said: "His football IQ is absolutely sensational. He's the one who can unlock the doors. He finds the little pockets of space and makes the right decisions at the right times.”

Man City could play part in Matheus Cunha summer saga

While Cunha is said to prefer a move to a traditional top-six side, Forest are set to play Champions League football next season and could have a major hole to fill in attacking midfield. That is because it was reported by The Athletic earlier this week that Manchester City were eyeing a move for Morgan Gibbs-White.

Pep Guardiola’s side need to fill the void that will be left by Kevin De Bruyne’s pending departure after the Belgian confirmed last week that this season would be his last at the Etihad Stadium. Gibbs-White has played a key role in Forest’s push for a place in the Champions League with five goals and seven assists in the Premier League this campaign. If City were to step up their interest in Gibbs-White, it could leave Forest more determined to land Cunha as they look to take a strong squad into next season.

Their interest in Cunha has been there since at least January, as they even considered making a club record bid for the Brazilian during the winter transfer window.