The pursuit of Matheus Cunha by Nottingham Forest is fast becoming a saga filled with twists, complications, and competing interests. Just days ago, news broke of Forest’s interest in the Wolves forward, with the club reportedly preparing a club-record bid to bring him to the City Ground in the January transfer window. However, this pursuit has faced numerous hurdles, and with each passing day, it becomes increasingly clear that securing Cunha’s signature will be far from straightforward for Forest.
Initially, Forest faced the obvious obstacle of Wolves’ firm stance on the Brazilian’s future. Wolves have been adamant that Cunha is not for sale in January, despite Forest’s interest in the forward. While the club has expressed their intentions to bring in new faces during the transfer window, Wolves’ resistance was expected, considering Cunha’s importance to their squad. To complicate matters further, Forest were aware that any move for Cunha would require a significant fee, with reports suggesting that Wolves initially demanded around £80m for the player. However, in a surprising development, Wolves lowered their asking price to £60m, which has kept Forest’s hopes alive and put them back in the running. Yet, despite this shift, Forest’s path to securing the player remains uncertain.
As if these challenges weren’t enough, a new dimension to the saga has emerged, with Arsenal entering the picture. Matheus Cunha, according to various reports, reportedly prefers a move to Arsenal over a potential switch to Forest. The allure of joining a club competing for Champions League football and playing under Mikel Arteta is understandably strong for a player of Cunha’s caliber. Arteta himself has hinted that Arsenal could pursue the striker, which has created even more competition for Forest. If Arsenal were to make a move, it would be hard for Forest to compete financially and in terms of prestige. The situation now seems to be a race between Forest and Arsenal for Cunha’s signature, with the player seemingly leaning towards a move to North London.
Yet, the situation has taken another twist. Senior sources from Wolves have spoken to the media, revealing their confidence in retaining Cunha. According to journalist Alex Crook, Wolves have no immediate plans to part ways with their star man. In fact, the club has offered Cunha a new contract, hoping to reward him for his strong performances this season. Wolves are under no pressure to sell, with Cunha having two and a half years remaining on his current deal. Even if Cunha does not sign the new contract offer, Wolves are reportedly relaxed about his future and have made it clear that they won’t be selling him in January. For Forest, this statement serves as a major blow, as it further complicates their chances of landing the player. It seems that the ball is firmly in Cunha’s court, and whether or not he pushes for a move could be the deciding factor.
In his pre-match press conference, Wolves’ head coach, Vitor Pereira, reiterated that Cunha is committed to the club. While Pereira’s comments are undoubtedly aimed at quelling speculation, the reality is that Wolves are under no immediate pressure to sell, and the club’s stance is not likely to change unless Cunha himself pushes for a move. If Cunha were to force his way out of Wolves, it could disrupt the atmosphere in the squad, which could have ramifications on the club’s performance and morale. This could, in turn, impact Forest’s chances of landing the striker, as such a move could create unnecessary tension and complications.
The impact of Cunha potentially forcing a move could also affect Forest’s thinking. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has previously made it clear that he values squad harmony above all else. Marinakis has been outspoken about his desire for a stable and unified squad, and bringing in a player who forces a move could undermine this principle. Forest have enjoyed an impressive season under Nuno Espirito Santo, and part of their success has been the strong team spirit that has been cultivated. If Cunha were to join the club in circumstances where he has agitated for a transfer, it could create discord within the squad. This potential disruption may weigh heavily on Marinakis’ decision-making process, as he weighs the benefits of adding a talented forward to the team against the risks of unsettling the current group of players.
On the pitch, there is no doubt that Matheus Cunha would improve Forest. With his pace, technical ability, and experience in the Premier League, Cunha would bring a different dimension to Forest’s attack. His 10 Premier League goals this season have been crucial for Wolves, and his ability to support Chris Wood up front would undoubtedly be an asset for Forest. However, the question remains whether the potential benefits of Cunha’s goals outweigh the risks of disrupting the squad’s harmony, especially when Forest’s current success has been largely built on unity and stability.
Marinakis is likely to consider whether the addition of Cunha would make a meaningful impact on the team’s push for further success. While Cunha could undoubtedly add goals, it seems that Marinakis is cautious about undermining the team’s chemistry for the sake of individual talent. If Cunha’s potential move to Forest hinges on him forcing his way out of Wolves, it could put the entire deal in jeopardy.
In conclusion, the pursuit of Matheus Cunha by Nottingham Forest is increasingly looking like a high-risk, high-reward situation. With Wolves determined to keep their star man and the added complication of competition from Arsenal, Forest’s chances of landing Cunha in January appear slim. Furthermore, the prospect of Cunha pushing for a move may go against Forest’s club ethos of squad harmony, something that owner Evangelos Marinakis values deeply. As the saga continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Forest will be able to convince Cunha to make the move to the City Ground or whether they will have to look elsewhere to bolster their attacking options.