Matheus Cunha hopeful of signing for Manchester United

Matheus Cunha is likely to play only five more times for Wolves ahead of a departure in the summer, with Man United keen.

Matheus Cunha is hopeful of a transfer to Manchester United after the club identified him as their prime playmaker target.

Sources close to Cunha say he is "optimistic" that a deal could materialise, despite a potentially prohibitive £62.5million fee.

United refused to break the £60m barrier for any of their five summer signings last year but would likely attempt to stagger the payment for Cunha in instalments.

Cunha has scored 16 goals in 31 games for Wolves this season but recently outlined his intention to leave the club in the summer. The Brazil international signed a new contract in January that secured a salary increase and the agreement of a release clause.

United coach Ruben Amorim billed Cunha as "real quality" on the eve of their 1-0 defeat to Wolves last week. "He (Wolves coach Vitor Pereira)'s playing a 3-4-3, he's doing quite well! He's changing some players, he has real quality players - Cunha and all these guys, they have real quality."

When pressed on Cunha and possible interest from United, Amorim replied: "I just gave the example because I remembered about Matheus. He's scoring a lot of goals. Just that."

Cunha is already operating as one of the two playmakers in the 3-4-2-1 formation that Amorim is wedded to. Amorim wants a specialist playmaker to occupy one of the roles behind the striker as Bruno Fernandes could switch to central midfield permanently next season. Amad, who was performing as a No.10 under Amorim, has been sidelined for more than two months with an ankle injury.

Cunha's disciplinary record could be a possible deterrent for other interested clubs. He has been suspended for a combined six matches this season following a full-time scuffle with an Ipswich Town security guard and a red card at Bournemouth.

United are also keen on Ipswich striker Liam Delap, whose £30m release clause will become active with their imminent relegation. The probable £92.5m cost of Cunha and Delap could be offset by the planned sales of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony, all currently on loan.

Aston Villa have an option to make Rashford's move permanent for £40m, Chelsea are obliged to buy Sancho for between £20m and £25m while Antony's value has risen amid his fine form for Real Betis.

United would require £32.52m for Antony to avoid a loss under the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules. United bought the Brazilian for an initial £81.3m on a five-year contract in 2022.

There has been speculation that Chelsea could pay a penalty fee to avoid buying Sancho, who has underwhelmed for the London club. Sancho, 25, is out of contract at United next year and this summer is their last realistic chance to sell the winger.