AliousMatheus Cunha has emerged as Wolves’ standout performer this season, consistently proving his worth in the Premier League as he continues to thrive.
When the Old Gold secured Cunha’s signature, they knew they were bringing in a talented forward, but he still had work to do to reach his full potential. At the time of his arrival, the Brazilian was enduring a difficult spell at Atletico Madrid, having gone 15 matches without a goal in the 2022/23 campaign—a statistic that now feels almost unimaginable given his current form.
Since the beginning of the 2023/24 season, Cunha has played a direct role in 41 goals across all competitions for Wolves, cementing his place as a key figure in the squad and finding stability in English football.
Cunha’s Near Miss With the Premier League Before Wolves
While speculation continues to grow regarding Cunha’s future, with some expecting him to depart at the end of the season, Wolves supporters are savoring every moment he remains at Molineux. His transfer from Atletico Madrid has been a massive success for the club, and given the £44 million investment they made, they are almost certain to see a financial return should he move on.
However, few may be aware that Wolves weren’t Cunha’s first opportunity to join the Premier League. In fact, he had the chance to move to England earlier in his career, as he revealed in a 2021 interview with Brazilian outlet *UOL*.
Reflecting on the period leading up to the 2020 Olympic Games, Cunha admitted that he had received offers from English clubs but turned them down for a deeply personal reason. *“I had offers from England at the time, but I didn’t even consider accepting them for a very special reason: the Brazilian national team.”*
For many players, securing a move to a league as prestigious as the Premier League is often seen as a stepping stone to greater international recognition. However, Cunha viewed the situation differently. He explained, *“I was doing very well with the under-23 team, I was the top scorer in the pre-Olympic tournament when I received offers from the Premier League, but those clubs wanted me to leave the national team, and I wasn’t willing to do that.”*
At the time, Cunha was playing for Hertha Berlin, and despite the allure of English football, he made it clear that representing Brazil remained his top priority. *“I will never put the national team aside. Playing for Brazil is my dream, no matter the level. I’ve wanted this since I was a child,”* he stated.
His focus remained solely on the Olympics, and he firmly believed that moving to a club that restricted his international opportunities was not an option. *“There was no way I could join a team that would prevent me from playing for Brazil. The Premier League could wait. The Olympics were my priority.”*
Premier League Giants Circle as Cunha’s Stock Rises
By rejecting a move to England back then, Cunha ultimately paved the way for his eventual arrival at Wolves in the 2023 winter transfer window. While that decision worked out well for the Midlands club, they may soon have to fend off interest from some of the league’s biggest teams.
During the January transfer window, as many as six clubs—including Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United—were linked with the Brazilian forward. With Cunha now protected by a £62.5 million release clause, there is a strong incentive for clubs to make a move in the summer.
Given how well he has adapted to the Premier League, it seems highly likely that if Cunha does leave Wolves, he will remain in England—just as many clubs had hoped when they first tried to bring him in years ago.
Alious
