Julen Lopetegui claims Wolves are ‘close’ to beating Premier League rivals Leeds United, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Everton to Atletico Madrid’s Brazil international Matheus Cunha, speaking to Marca.
The new Wolverhampton Wanderers boss certainly isn’t the shy and retiring type, at least when it comes to speaking to the media.
Lopetegui admitted earlier in the month that the Molineux outfit were indeed interested in Atletico duo Cunha and Felipe, while also expressing his admiration for Sevilla’s Word Cup-winning left-back Marcos Acuna.
And the former Real Madrid boss now reveals that Cunha is on the verge of becoming Wolves first new signing for 2023.
“We will try to improve the team in the January market,” says the 56-year-old, who guided Sevilla to the Europa League title in 2020 and has also had spells in charge of Spain and FC Porto.
“Cunha is close.”
Wolves ‘close’ to signing Atletico Madrid striker Matheus Cunha
According to Goal, Leeds United have been in touch with Cunha’s agent. A long-time target was on Marcelo Bielsa’s radar around 18 months ago. Arsenal, Aston Villa and Everton have also shown an interest at some point over the last few weeks; Cunha in need of a new challenge after starting only two La Liga games all season under Diego Simeone. He also missed out on a place in Brazil’s Qatar World Cup squad.
Cunha was left out of Atletico’s friendly clash with Ponferradina last week. Per El Desmarque, this may have been due to fears that an ill-timed injury would have wrecked his hopes of a January move.
It is not certain how much Wolves will pay for the eight-time Selecao star. Atletico wanted £42 million over the summer, when Manchester United were interested.
Wolves remain in talks with Cunha’s team-mate Felipe too. The 33-year-old centre-half is not quite as far down the line, however; Brazilian clubs keen to take the former Porto colossus back to South America.
“The Premier League was a goal for a long time (for me),” Lopetegui adds. “I had opportunities to go several times. But, due to personal circumstances, it did not happen.
“We thought we were going to stop and rest after three very intense and beautiful years at Sevilla. But circumstances changed and an exciting project appeared. A team in a complex situation, but with great potential that has bet heavily on us.
“We believe in the project and we have jumped on it to change a situation that will not be easy.”
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