Man United face key hurdle in their pursuit of Matheus Cunha | OneFootball

Manchester United will have to traverse a battle of ‘Super-Agents’ in their pursuit of Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha, according to a report from Portugal.

Cunha, 25, has emerged as the Red Devils’ primary target this summer with widespread acceptance at Old Trafford that the Brazilian international is a perfect fit in Ruben Amorim’s system.

The Wolves star has 15 goals and six assists in 29 Premier League matches this season, despite playing for one of the worst sides in the division.

By comparison, United’s forward line, comprising Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, have combined for just seven goals in the league.

Cunha would provide a much-needed ailment to Old Trafford’s goal-scoring woes, while offering the dribbling ability and ball-progression skills Amorim values in his number tens.

It would also enable Bruno Fernandes to return to central midfield, where United’s captain was producing all-action displays earlier in Amorim’s reign.

Cunha’s contract at Molineux contains a £62.5 million release clause, which the Red Devils are reportedly willing to meet. However, they would want to pay in instalments, rather than as a lump sum in the manner that a release clause payment is typically met.

Wolves are thought to be open to the structure of this deal and there is a growing sense an agreement is a case of ‘when’, and not ‘if’.

However, Portuguese outlet Trivela (as relayed by Sports Witness), reveals United’s pursuit could be “tied up by a battle between ‘super-agents.'”

Cunha is represented by Giuliano Bertolucci – a Brazilian agent. However, Jorge Mendes – an agent with almost unimaginable power across European football – has “great influence” at Molineux and his agency, Gestifute, have six Wolves players in their roster.

Trivela contends all “high impact” transfers are approved by Mendes directly and “Cunha would be no different.” Indeed, when the forward was first signed by Wolves, Bertolucci had to negotiate directly with Mendes to make the deal happen.

This means the two agents are “likely to be going head-to-head again in this deal” with the report suggesting “any move to Manchester United won’t happen unless Mendes approves it on Wolves’ behalf first.”

Old Trafford executives are thought to have a positive relationship with Mendes, however. He was influential in the negotiations which brought Manuel Ugarte from Paris to Manchester last summer and Leny Yoro from LOSC Lille, as well as many other high-profile deals in the past.

If United are reliant upon Mendes’ approval to seal a deal for Cunha, it shouldn’t present a hurdle the club have not already jumped many times before.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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