Matheus Cunha reveals why he snubbed Arsenal & Man Utd transfer | OneFootball

Matheus Cunha felt a duty to stay at Wolverhampton Wanderers and help the club fight against relegation this season, despite "a lot of offers" from rival Premier League teams in the January transfer window.

The mercurial Brazilian forward has been in fine form this term, racking up a career-high 13 Premier League goals despite the collective struggles of his side. Gary O'Neil was sacked by Wolves in December while Cunha and his colleagues were slumped in 19th place.

As the winter window opened, it quickly became apparent that there was a long queue of interested clubs desperately trying to prise Cunha away from Molineux. Arsenal and Manchester United were thought to be two of the Brazilian's keenest suitors.

Cunha would have been handsomely rewarded financially had he jumped ship and could have swapped a slip towards the Championship with Champions League football. Yet, there was never any doubt in the 25-year-old's mind.

"I had a lot of offers but I wouldn't feel well if I had done it," Cunha recently told The Guardian. "Some things you can't control but I couldn't leave the club in the middle of the season, in a difficult situation, in the relegation zone."

Matheus Cunha's form for Wolves has been rewarded with a call-up to the Brazil national team / EVARISTO SA/GettyImages

Cunha committed his future to the struggling Midlands outfit by signing a new contract in February to much fanfare. "Sometimes all we want in life is affection," he mused.

"People think we have everything, but we're human beings, too. We need a bit of understanding - we have our difficulties. Wolves gave me that joy back. The fans [have given] me a lot. The status I have today, the player I am now and the happiness I'm feeling, it's because of them. I'm really grateful to Wolves."

Wolves have since climbed to 17th place, opening up a nine-point cushion above the bottom three with nine games of the campaign remaining. Cunha is thought to have a £62.5m release clause in his new deal and has previously distanced himself from a move this summer, but he is not interested in letting his career stagnate.

"Now, we're close to achieving our goal [of staying up]," the prolific striker noted. "But I've made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential."