What Matheus Cunha is saying privately about his future at Wolves after Nottingham Forest interest.
Nottingham Forest’s interest in Wolves’ Matheus Cunha is well established, but the latest twist in the story will have left Evangelos Marinakis stunned.
Forest were connected with Cunha on Wednesday, which delighted onlookers, who will be hopeful the deal can be completed given Marinakis’ desire to recruit a striker in January. The biggest stumbling issue for Forest is Cunha’s preference for a move to Arsenal, which is bolstered by Mikel Arteta’s admission that Arsenal, like Forest, are ‘actively seeking’ for a striker in January. Another complication may have developed in the pursuit of Cunha as a result of Wolves manager Vitor Pereira’s comments concerning his striker’s future.
Vitor Pereira reveals private conversations with Matheus Cunha
Speaking before of Wolves’ match against Arsenal on Saturday, Pereira couldn’t resist the Cunha speculations, with the media hounding him for an update on his star player. Pereira stated that he “had a conversation” with the Brazilian, during which Cunha convinced the coach that he is “very committed” to the Wolves. Given that Wolves reduced their asking price for Cunha to £60 million, the club is clearly preparing for bids on their talisman. However, considering Pereira’s statement that Cunha will be involved in some way against Arsenal, they must not have had to truly ponder a strategy so far. When asked about Cunha in his pre-match press conference two, Espirito Santo gave a cagey reaction that bolsters Pereira’s current confidence in keeping the striker.
If Cunha is genuinely committed to staying at Wolves for now, Forest may have to turn their attention to one of the other strikers linked to the club in the meantime.
Nottingham Forest have other options besides Matheus Cunha
Cunha was not the only player to be associated with the City Ground in January. Most significant was Forest’s interest in Yoane Wissa, who had a different profile than Cunha but comparable Premier League experience. Brentford rejected Forest’s initial proposal for Wissa, but there is little evidence that Forest has abandoned their pursuit of the Congolese striker. Brentford was also said to be open to bids for Wissa, making the deal potentially easier than a move for Cunha. Forest have maintained interested in Santiago Gimenez, who initially turned down a chance to join the Forest squad in the summer, demonstrating that Marinakis has kept his options open.
Given the willingness to offer a club-record fee for Cunha, he is likely the Forest owner’s top target, but if Pereira is right about the committedness of the Brazilian, there are plenty of other options waiting to be turned to.
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