AliousOne of the most significant moments in Wolves’ recent history was the signing of Matheus Cunha, who has gone from an uncertain prospect to the team’s standout performer since arriving in January 2023.
The Brazilian forward, who joined from Atlético Madrid for £44 million, has grown into Wolves’ most valuable asset and could command a club-record transfer fee if sold this summer. To ward off interest from bigger clubs, the club inserted a £62.5 million release clause in his latest contract, ensuring they have leverage should a bidding war emerge.
Cunha is currently enjoying the best season of his career, having netted 15 goals across all competitions, with 13 of those coming in the Premier League. At 25, he has been directly involved in 44% of Wolves’ goals this season, proving just how vital he has become to the squad.
His transformation has been remarkable. Initially, many doubted whether he would live up to expectations, as his early performances at Molineux were underwhelming. However, he has since silenced critics, and his trajectory suggests he is on the path to becoming a world-class striker. One man deserves significant credit for bringing him to Wolves: Julen Lopetegui.
How Lopetegui Persuaded Cunha to Choose Wolves
When Wolves shattered their transfer record to secure Cunha’s signature, it was a bold statement of intent. At the time, the club was in the midst of a relegation battle, making it a tough sell for a player of his caliber.
Despite competition from Premier League rivals Leeds United and Everton, then-manager Lopetegui managed to convince Cunha that Wolves was the right place for him. Speaking in January 2023, the Spanish coach revealed his approach to securing the forward’s commitment.
“We explained our vision to him,” Lopetegui told *Shropshire Star*. **“Players always look at the league table, and sometimes our position doesn’t help our chances of signing them. But in the end, he believed in our future and wanted to be part of the present. He’s another weapon for us, and we’ll try to make the most of his abilities. Scoring goals isn’t just about the forwards—it’s a collective effort. Before you get goals, you need to work hard in all areas of the game.”
Lopetegui’s pitch was enough to persuade Cunha to buy into the project, despite Wolves being in a precarious position at the time.
Lopetegui Left Before Unleashing Cunha’s Full Potential**
However, Lopetegui’s time at Wolves was short-lived. Ahead of the 2023/24 season, he parted ways with the club after feeling unsupported by the ownership group, Fosun, in the transfer market. In hindsight, his departure may have been a blessing in disguise for Cunha’s development.
While the Brazilian maintained a strong relationship with Lopetegui, his style of play never quite aligned with the manager’s tactical approach. This was evident in his disappointing return of just two goals in 20 matches under the Spaniard.
Some of his early struggles could be attributed to adapting to English football, but the stark improvement since Lopetegui’s exit suggests that the former Real Madrid boss may not have been the right coach to maximize his potential. Under new management, Cunha has flourished, proving that Wolves’ record-breaking investment was worth every penny.
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