Wolverhampton Wanderers will head into the summer transfer window full of confidence that they can secure a top-half finish in the Premier League next season.
Much will depend on Vitor Pereira’s budget, however. Will he be allowed to spend big in order to carry on the momentum gained over the last few months?
There will certainly be a few sales when the window opens as he begins to build his squad.
The key question for the Molineux faithful: Will Matheus Cunha be at the club on the opening day of 2025/26?
Why Matheus Cunha is a wanted man this summer
If it wasn’t for Cunha’s output in the final third this season, Wolves may arguably have been in real danger of relegation.
The Brazilian has been in remarkable form, scoring 15 times in the top flight while chipping in with six assists in the process.
Not only does this account for 41% of the club’s total goals in the league, but he also ranks ninth in the Premier League for goals and assists.
Despite this, Cunha has clashed with supporters on social media following a post he put up on his Instagram.
He even confessed that he wishes to leave in order to challenge for trophies, and if a big offer comes in, the forward may depart.
“I’ve made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things.” – Matheus Cunha
The forward currently earns £90k-per-week in the Midlands and, should he leave, this would help free up a big chunk of the wage budget for Pereira.
It does look likely he will move on from Wolves. But there is one player the manager should be actively trying to sell, especially considering he is earning more than the club’s talisman at the moment – Goncalo Guedes.
Why Goncalo Guedes must follow Cunha out the door
£35m signing Guedes was given a second chance at the club after returning from a loan spell last summer, but he hasn’t exactly taken the opportunity.
Across 31 games, he has registered ten goal contributions – five goals and five assists – but only two goals have come in the top flight.
He started in the 2-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, but was subbed off after 59 minutes.
Goals
2
Assists
4
Shots per game
0.8
Key passes per game
0.4
Big chances created
2
Successful dribbles per game
0.2
During the game, he missed a big chance – notably firing a close-range effort over the far – failed to register a shot on target, failed with his only dribble attempt and won just a solitary duel against the Seagulls.
Due to his lethargic display, Guedes was given a match rating of just 5/10 by Birmingham World with journalist Charlie Haffenden noting that he ‘wasted two big chances in the opening ten minutes’ and was ‘not too involved afterwards’ which just about sums up his time at Molineux.
It’s safe to say that if this was an audition to secure his future at the club, he failed.
The Portuguese forward currently earns the same weekly wage as Cunha which given how differently the pair have performed this season, it is a rather remarkable fact.
=1
Goncalo Guedes
£90,000
£4,680,000
=1
Pablo Sarabia
£90,000
£4,680,000
=1
Matheus Cunha
£90,000
£4,680,000
4
Nelson Semedo
£80,000
£4,160,000
5
Hee-chan Hwang
£70,000
£3,640,000
With two years left on his current contract, this summer would be the ideal time for Pereira to cash in on the underperforming forward.
If so, he will be able to free up a big part of the wage bill in the process.
Wolves flop is now a Ballon d'Or contender and a bigger name than Cunha
Wolverhampton Wanderers must surely rue losing this talent who is now arguably better than Matheus Cunha.
1 ByKelan SarsonMay 12, 2025