‘Wolves sting Man United over Matheus Cunha as new details emerge’
Man United finally wrapped up their deal for Wolves star Matheus Cunha on Sunday (1 June) after months of speculation.
The Red Devils have paid the 26-year-old’s £62.5million release clause – which was only added when Cunha signed a new contract earlier this year.
According to Sky Sports (2 June), United will pay that fee in three instalments across two years.
Cunha hit 17 goals in 36 games across all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign and has chosen to join Ruben Amorim‘s side despite their lack of European football.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has insisted Wolves have struck a “very clever” deal after standing firm over payment schedule.
Man United must start ‘counting the pennies’ after lavish Cunha deal, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed it is normal the buying club to pay any transfer fee over the length of the player’s first contract.
Cunha is expected to play in a wide area for Amorim despite the Red Devils’ problems at centre-forward.
Wyness insisted Man United must get used to “counting the pennies” after financial trouble in recent months at Old Trafford.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “A big fee like that is normally paid over a longer spell than that.
“But this is the clause that was put into his contract.
“Wolves were very clever to put that in, Man United tried to extend the schedule but they stood firm.
“Normally, you pay the fee over the length of the contract, that’s normal practice.
“Each deal is unique, but in this deal Wolves have specified it had to be paid over two years.
“They’ve quite rightly stuck to that and United have had to do it.
“United are having to look at the pennies closely, and this deal will squeeze their finances a little bit more.
“They’re going to have to get used to counting their money more, rather than spending with blank cheques.”
Brentford hope to score major Mbeumo fee
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (4 June) that Brentford are hoping to push Bryan Mbeumo’s price tag up via a bidding war despite his preference to join Man United.
Brentford are keen to get maximum value from selling their star man – with Newcastle and Arsenal also interested in his services.
The Cameroon international hit 20 goals and notched nine assists in 42 appearances across all competitions for Thomas Frank‘s side this term.
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