‘On their list’ – Fabrizio Romano gives big Arsenal transfer update amid Wolves' contract talks

Wolves may be at risk of losing star striker Matheus Cunha to Premier League rivals Arsenal, according to a claim by transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano on social media.

The Italian journalist claimed on X that the Brazilian striker, who has scored 24 league goals for the Old Gold since signing from Atlético Madrid on an initial loan deal in January 2023, was “one to be monitored” and that the Gunners have had Cunha “on their list for months” along with other, unnamed teams.

Romano also suggested that any bid for Cunha could be dependent on Wolves’ efforts to agree a new contract with the 25-year-old, whose current deal expires in 2027. The club opened discussions with the player over a new deal earlier this month but have yet to come to terms. Apparently “there are still fine details to clarify”, with Arsenal ready to pounce if negotiations break down.

No transfer fee is suggested should Wolves decide to make a bid, and nor is it stated whether a bid may come this month or whether it would wait until the summer – although it is believed that Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new striker in January if possible.

Will Cunha sign a new deal at Molineux?

Sky Sports first reported that Wolves were working on a new contract for Cunha on 6 January, and Romano added that the two parties had reached a “verbal agreement”, but there has yet to be any announcement or further updates regarding the proposed extension.

Sky Sports also claimed in their initial report that “there was work to do” to seal a new deal with Cunha, who is the club’s leading goalscorer with 10 goals in 19 Premier League games. The long wait for an announcement will raise fears that Cunha could be ready to look towards a future away from Molineux.

A report from Football Insider on 11 January also claimed that negotiations had hit a “stumbling block” with Cunha’s agent slowing the process down in order to maximise the amount he can get for his client. The report still suggested that Cunha would likely eventually sign a new deal with Wolves, however.

Will Arsenal try to sign Cunha?

Arsenal have been linked with the Brazilian by a number of news outlets, but there are also stories connecting them with a string of other strikers as they look to replace the injured Gabriel Jesus and to find the goals that could push them towards the title.

It is widely believed that Sporting forward Viktor Gyökeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško are at the top of the Gunners’ shortlist, meaning that a move for Cunha may only happen if the club believe that they will be frustrated in their pursuit of higher priority targets.

It is also unlikely that Wolves would sanction the sale of such an important player midway through a Premier League relegation battle, even if talks over a new contract were to break down.

Elsewhere there is news on potential incoming transfers, amid claims that Wolves are close to signing a £2.5m-rated Portuguese midfielder and that they could be offered a major swap deal by Manchester United.