Man United meet terms of Matheus Cunha’s £62.5m release clause with Wolves star set for medical before becoming Ruben Amorim’s first signing of summer rebuild

Manchester United have met the terms of Matheus Cunha’s £62.5million release clause with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Molineux club have now given United permission to conclude the deal which is poised to be a five year contract for Cunha with option of a further year.

Wolves rejected United’s initial offers to pay the fee over five years and then four years, insisting on three instalments of £20.85m over two years — as stipulated in the buyout clause.

United agreed and have been given permission to talk to the 26-year-old Brazil star.

They have already agreed personal terms with Cunha’s representatives on a five-year contract with the option of an additional year, so it now seems a formality that he will move to Old Trafford.

Cunha is expected to travel to Manchester before the end of the week for a medical and will be given Marcus Rashford’s No 10 shirt at United.

United boss Ruben Amorim will soon be able to announce Cunha as his first summer signing

Ruben Amorim could be in the market for another No 10 amid interest in Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, and also wants a striker and a midfielder.

But he admitted on United’s post-season tour to Kuala Lumpur that he won’t have much to spend, with the budget understood to be around £125m plus whatever money the club can raise through player sales.

Alejandro Garnacho is available for between £60-70m after falling out with Amorim, and United could receive a £100m offer for captain Bruno Fernandes if he tells Al-Hilal that he wants to move to Saudi Arabia.

United will also look to sell Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia this summer.

Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans will be leaving as free agents at the end of June.

Mail Sport revealed last month that United were close to an agreement with Wolves over the signing of Cunha.

Cunha and Amorim were pictured in conversation last month following United’s second defeat by Wolves in what was a dismal campaign for the Old Trafford outfit.

Conversely, Cunha enjoyed an outstanding individual campaign in 2024–25, scoring 15 goals and providing six assists in 33 Premier League appearances.

His total was more than any Manchester United player managed in the league, as Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo ended the season as United’s joint-top scorers with just eight goals apiece.

Cunha helped Wolves beat United home and away during the Premier League season just gone

Cunha scored 15 Premier League goals for Wolves in 2024-25 — more than any United player

Wolves had looked on course to finish above United in the table after beating them home and away, but were leapfrogged on the final day.

United’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, combined with Wolves being held 1-1 at home to Brentford, ensured Amorim’s side finished above Wolves on goal difference.

But 15th place still represented United’s lowest league finish since their last relegation in 1974.

After playing the full 90 minutes against Brentford on Sunday, Cunha sent a message to Wolves supporters via Instagram.

He wrote: ‘Wolves, what can I say to you?

‘What an incredible season. We didn’t get to where you deserve to be, but we did everything we could to make you proud. I love these guys.

‘Individually, it was the best season of my life. All of this was only possible because of all the dedication and love I have for this club.

‘I became the Brazilian with the most goals in a Premier League season, along with @roberto_firmino and @gabriel.martinelli .

‘I made mistakes and got things right, but always because I lived this club so much. All I ever wanted was to do the impossible for Wolves. Another one is over.

‘And thank you all for all the affection.’