£60m target reveals exit plan after Newcastle links - "I need to take the next step"
A rumoured Newcastle United target has confirmed his intention to depart his current club in the next transfer window.
Sporting director Paul Mitchell is preparing to make his first major signing after a run of windows dominated by PSR, with this summer expected to feature one or two domestic 'marquee' signings and a number of exciting young talents from abroad.
It's thought the club will target a goalkeeper, centre-back, winger and striker, with the latest name linked able to play in two of these positions as he prepares to move on this summer.
Brazilian confirms exit plan
Reported Toon target Matheus Cunha has confirmed his desire to leave Wolves in the summer after helping Vitor Pereira’s side to likely survival in the Premier League.
The versatile forward, who was again linked to Newcastle last week following on from rumours in December, has been a standout in a far from ideal season for the Black Country side.
The 25-year-old has netted 13 times in the league this season, but has told The Guardian he will be looking to take his football to a higher level:
"Now we’re close to achieving our goal of staying up... 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."
"I had a lot of offers but I wouldn’t feel well if I had done it...I couldn’t leave the club in the middle of the season, in a difficult situation, in the relegation zone."
Should Newcastle make a move, we'd face plenty of competition, with Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool all thought to be big fans of the Brazilian, who has a £60m release clause set to become active this summer.
Talented and versatility - but discipline concerns
Skilful, capable of spectacular goals and able to play across a number of positions, Cunha would fit the profile of an Eddie Howe signing - much like Anthony Gordon.
Capable of starting as a No. 9, No. 10 or off the left of a front three, there is no doubting the talent of the man whom Bruno Guimaraes appeared close with in a recent photo posted while away on international duty.
Concerns about Cunha’s discipline however can be raised. On two occasions this season he has grabbed media attention, firstly for a post-match scuffle with a member of Ipswich Town’s coaching staff, and then for a violent clash with Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth.
However the red card received for his spat with Kerkez in the final minute of extra-time in the FA Cup Fifth Round was the first time in his career he had been sent for an early bath by the referee, and shouldn’t be a point of major concern.
