Nottingham Forest eyes Wolves’ Matheus Cunha with a record £60m bid, challenging Arsenal’s plans

Nottingham Forest is preparing to disrupt Arsenal’s transfer plans with a club-record £60 million bid for Wolves star Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian forward, who has been in scintillating form this season with ten goals and four assists in 21 Premier League appearances, is now the focus of intense interest from Forest as well as the Gunners.

Cunha, 25, has been pivotal for Wolves in their fight against relegation, but tensions have reportedly flared after he was publicly criticised by manager Vitor Pereira for his body language during Wolves’ recent loss to Chelsea. The criticism has left Cunha “extremely upset,” potentially opening the door for a dramatic move away from Molineux.

While Arsenal are in dire need of attacking reinforcements, Forest appears ready to outmuscle their rivals financially. According to Sky Sports, Forest is prepared to make Cunha their most expensive signing ever, surpassing the £45 million they paid for Morgan Gibbs-White in 2022. Arsenal now risks missing out on a key target as Forest accelerates their pursuit.

Despite Cunha’s frustrations, Wolves are adamant he’s not for sale. With two-and-a-half years left on his contract, and no financial pressure after raking in over £90 million from previous sales of Pedro Neto and Max Kilman, Wolves are standing firm. The club’s priority remains Premier League survival, and Cunha is central to those ambitions.

However, Sky Sports reports that Cunha is unlikely to sign a new contract with Wolves. Talks for an extension, initially intended as a reward for his strong performances have stalled, increasing speculation over his future. Forest isn’t the only club monitoring the situation; Arsenal and even Manchester City have been linked, though City appears to have shifted focus to Omar Marmoush.

Meanwhile, Forest has also launched a bid for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, though their initial offer of under £22 million was swiftly rejected. Forest’s aggressive approach in the transfer market suggests they are determined to bolster their squad, whether or not the Cunha deal materialises.

As the January window heats up, all eyes are on Wolves to see if their resolve will crumble under the pressure of a record-breaking offer. For now, Cunha remains a key piece in Wolves’ fight for survival, but the unrest surrounding his future could spark one of the most dramatic transfer battles of the season.