Wolverhampton Wanderers have given forward Matheus Cunha permission to undergo a medical at Manchester United ahead of a proposed summer transfer.
Club-to-club talks between United and Wolves, where Cunha has a £62.5million ($83.7m) release clause, were opened on Tuesday.
United have now met the terms of Cunha’s contract at Molineux and will now seek to complete the transfer of the Brazilian.
There had been optimism that agreeing a payment structure will be a formality, with Cunha’s contract outlining that a transfer fee is paid across three instalments — a first lump sum upon the signing and a further two equal shares over the next two years — although United had sought to make the payment over five years rather than two.
There is hope a deal can be concluded for when the transfer window opens on June 1.
The Athletic reported on April 22 that United had held positive contract talks with Cunha, with head coach Ruben Amorim and the United hierarchy aligned on bringing in the Brazilian.
Cunha last signed a new contract at Wolves on deadline day in February, despite interest from Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, agreeing terms until 2029.
United have the Premier League and UEFA financial regulations to consider but are seeking to give themselves spending power by selling loanees Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.
Cunha played the majority of this season as a No 10 in Wolves’ 3-4-2-1 system under Gary O’Neil and then Vitor Pereira.
Despite missing six games cumulatively through suspension, Cunha registered 17 goals and six assists in 34 matches across all competitions, the most productive scoring season of his career. His 15 Premier League goals in 2024-25 far exceeded anyone in the United squad, with Bruno Fernandes leading the club’s league scoring chart with eight. Strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirzkee finished the campaign four and three respectively.
Cunha joined Wolves from RB Leipzig on loan in January 2023 before completing a permanent move for £43m that summer. He previously played for Atletico Madrid, Hertha Berlin and FC Sion, and has been capped 13 times by Brazil.
