Man United can hand Matheus Cunha perfect £45m welcome gift as 'agreement' confirmed

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Matheus Cunha could become Manchester United's first summer signing after reports claimed a verbal agreement and personal terms were close to being finalised.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers star emerged as the perfect target for Ruben Amorim after impressing in the Midlands this season. Cunha has scored 17 goals and added a further six assists in 32 matches.

His versatility to play as a centre-forward and attacking midfielder makes him a top target for Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system. Following difficulty in front of goal this season - United have failed to score more than one goal in 29 games this season - a new-look attack isn't an impossible thought for the start of next season.

Arsenal are also thought to be watching Cunha's situation closely with reports last week claiming the Gunners' new sporting director Andrea Berta had held talks with his representatives. However, United's pull in the transfer market looks to hit the jackpot again with it said an agreement is close to bring the 25-year-old to Old Trafford.

Goal Brasil's Valentin Furlan has reported that a deal for United to land one of their priority deals is close with them 'expected to hit' the former Atletico Madrid's £62.5million release clause at Molineux plus a potential further £5m in add-ons.

Cunha would join up with national team teammate Casemiro at Old Trafford but more smart transfer business by Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox could supplement Cunha's switch.

Much of Wolves' success in the past two seasons have come down to Cunha, Pedro Neto - who joined Chelsea last summer - and Rayan Ait-Nouri. Attacking wing-back Ait-Nouri has enjoyed a terrific individual season to emerge as one of the most in-demand left-backs in European football.

The 23-year-old, who plays in a very similar role to Patrick Dorgu in Vitor Pereira's 3-4-2-1 system, has scored five goals and assisted another seven this season. Liverpool and Tottenham have both previously been linked with a move for the Algeria international and he was on United's radar previously.

Ait-Nouri ranks in the top 84th percentile for total shots compared to positional peers in Europe’s top five divisions. He also ranks in the top 87th for assists, 85th for non-penalty expected goals plus assisted goals, 84th for progressive carries, 97th for successful take-ons and 91st for touches in the attacking penalty area (all stats provided by FBREF).

(Image: Getty Images)

However, Wolves are reportedly preparing to offer their star man a new contract in an attempt to keep him at the club. But as United are fully aware of, Cunha signed a new contract at the start of the year and is primed to leave anyway.

Noticeably, Ait-Nouri sanctioned a key switch in a footballer's career that occasionally hints at a potential big transfer. Earlier this week, it was reported that he had signed with the CAA Stellar agency, who represent Morgan Gibbs-White, Eduardo Camavinga and Ibrahima Konate.

French publication Fennec News have reported the switch has happened in order to facilitate a move this summer, which remains to be seen.

The left wing-back position is unlikely to be a priority for United following Dorgu's January signing and the emergence of Harry Amass. However, there aren't many players who fit United's system better than Ait-Nouri and at 23, he fits the exact profile the recruitment team are searching for at Old Trafford.

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