Wolves fans explode as 'our only creator' set to join Matheus Cunha in agreeing transfer
Matheus Cunha's big-money departure from Wolves isn't likely to be the first high-profile exit from Molineux this summer.
The worst-kept secret of the summer so far was finally put into writing on 1 June as Cunha completed his £62.5million move to Manchester United, who triggered his release clause on the first day of the window.
Cunha had long since made clear his intention to leave Wolves in a season which has seen the Brazilian score 17 goals and add six assists in all competitions, as well as pick up two separate suspensions.
Vitor Pereira had Cunha to thank for several key victories and other points won after Wolves spent much of the season in a relegation fight, before a run of six wins through March and April saw them pull clear.
The 25-year-old's £62.5m transfer is expected to spark a summer of change at Old Trafford, but that could also prove to be the case at Molineux if Pereira is unable to keep his best players at Wolves.
Man City step up Rayan Ait-Nouri interest
Although Man United won the race for Cunha very early in this summer's transfer window, their rivals Man City were also interested in the Brazilian alongside the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle.
Man City have kept their eye on developments at Molineux though, and David Ornstein reported on 2 June that they are "pursuing a deal" for their main left-back target Rayan Ait-Nouri instead this summer.
Ait-Nouri's four goals and seven assists from left-back this season have been crucial for Pereira's side, and Wolves may have to pay 50 per cent of any fee received to Amiens as part of a sell-on agreement when they bought him in 2021.
Wolves fans react to Cunha and Ait-Nouri exits
Although Man City's pursuit of Ait-Nouri is still in its early stages, few Wolves fans were optimistic that Jeff Shi and the ownership team at Molineux would reinvest their potential transfer fee wisely, if at all.
With Nelson Semedo and Pablo Sarabia also set to leave Molineux for free this summer, the Wanderers faithful anticipated a difficult period ahead with up to four of their best players all bound for the exit door.
Wolves fans "know what our owners are going to do" and bemoaned the "madness" which also saw Max Kilman and Pedro Neto sold last summer, with a clear consensus that if top-class replacements aren't signed, "we are getting relegated".