Manchester United reportedly close to signing Matheus Cunha

Manchester United have Atlético Madrid striker Matheus Cunha on their shortlist, according to ESPN’s Julien Laurens.

The Premier League side are searching for a striker and have been linked to several in recent weeks. The Red Devils have lost their opening two Premier League matches under new manager Erik ten Hag, scoring one goal and conceding six.

Cunha has started the season as Álvaro Morata’s back-up at Atlético. Morata cemented his place in the starting XI with two goals against Getafe in the Rojiblancos’ first game of the season, while Cunha entered for the final 10 minutes of the 3-0 victory.

Cunha has four years left on his current deal in Madrid, but Laurens says he would be “keen” to join ten Hag’s side. TalkSport later corroborated Laurens’s reporting, saying a deal is close to being agreed.

Matteo Moretto at Relevo has also reported on United’s interest in the 23-year-old, who is reportedly happy to stay in Madrid. Moretto says Atlético are asking for more than €50 million to sell Cunha at this stage of the transfer window. United are apparently in conversations with Cunha’s representatives, but it’s thought that Atlético will refer the 13-time Premier League champions to the player’s €80 million-plus release clause if talks begin between the clubs.

Cunha has scored seven times in 37 games for Atlético since joining from Hertha Berlin last year. He was behind Luis Suárez during his first season at the club and steadily moved up the pecking order before a knee injury put paid to that. He has also played seven times for Brazil, and with the World Cup taking place in November, he will be hoping to cement his place in the squad with consistent, regular playing time.

For what Cunha might lack in goal-scoring ability, he makes up for in effort. His pressing is his most impressive asset, as we explained here last here.