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BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Why does Cunha want Man Utd move and where does he fit?
"I've made it clear that I need to take the next step," Matheus Cunha told the Guardian, external in March. "I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential."The Brazil forward is now set to take that next step but it involves swapping one side who finished in the Premier League's bottom six for another, in moving from Wolves to Manchester United in a £62.5m will arrive at a club that has gone 12 years without winning a league title, having just completed a worst top-flight season since 1973-74, and where morale is at rock why is the 26-year-old happy to join a United side that finished a massive 42 points behind champions Liverpool? United 'lucky' to get Cunha While Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham are all planning for next season's Champions League, United are unable to offer new recruits any European football - let alone a place in Europe's premier club it is now more than three years since United last played a Champions League knockout tie. Despite a lowly league finish and absence of European football next season, BBC Sport understands Cunha still views United as a big club - and that the player does not look at it as a Cunha, who turned 26 on Tuesday and is in peak form, is excited by the enormous challenge of reviving United's is a feeling the move makes sense for all wants to move to a so-called bigger club, while Wolves get more than £60m to Wolves have already showed they can win matches without Cunha after securing 10 points from the four Premier League games he missed through suspension following a red card against Bournemouth in the FA Cup in who are set to allow England forward Marcus Rashford and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho to leave this summer, need to boost the options available to boss Ruben side managed just 44 top-flight goals in 2024-25 - a club-record low in the Premier League era. Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap, external and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo have also been has 27 goals in 65 Premier League appearances over the past two seasons and is regarded at United as someone who can make an instant impact, while at the same time add experience to the team."United are lucky they still have their historic appeal and reputation as a club, so players of the Brazilian's quality and potential want to move there," former England midfielder Fara Williams told BBC Sport."If he does, there is no doubt he improves the squad." 'Cunha has everything United want' Creativity, movement and sharp finishing - Cunha's flair and drive have often made the difference in tight has been the heartbeat of Wolves' attacking threat, scoring crucial goals, linking up play and unpicking defences with moments of individual addition, 2024-25 saw him equal the record for the most goals scored by a Brazilian player in a Premier League season along with Roberto Firmino (2017-18) and Gabriel Martinelli (2022-23)."Cunha has everything a United team would want," added Williams. "You cannot question the qualities he possesses and the attitude he has in-game in terms of wanting to do anything to win."Cunha spoke about leaving behind the sadness of his time at Atletico Madrid after initially joining Wolves on loan in December 2022 before making the move permanent the following summer. He first played as a number nine at Wolves but those who have watched him regularly over the past couple of years say his best position is as a left-sided number natural inclination is to come deep and get the ball, and his strengths include running at defenders and 2024-25 numbers match up to those of Bruno Fernandes, arguably United's best scored six times from outside the box - the same number as Fernandes managed in all competitions. Cunha also registered 51 attempts on target in all competitions - again, the same number as Fernandes also, however, spent more of his time on the pitch walking than any other outfield player in the Premier League this season at 77%. Have 'tantrums' limited options? Some sources at Wolves will be watching closely how Cunha fares at United - some at the club have questioned his lashed out at Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez three times in March - fighting and kicking out at him before aiming a headbutt when the Hungary full-back got back to his feet.A few weeks earlier, he was banned for two games by the Football Association after clashing with a member of Ipswich Town's staff and snatching his glasses off his Cunha's temperament discouraged clubs who will be playing in Europe next season from pursuing him? Other clubs considered a move for him in January, including Arsenal who decided against it, with some interest from others in the Premier League's top seven, too. However, there were fewer options for the forward this summer, with some suggesting it came down to a choice between United or a move to a club in Saudi Arabia."There have been a couple of incidents this season around Matheus Cunha's character that would make you pause," Rory Smith, football correspondent for The Observer, said in April on The Monday Night Club."Two fairly spectacular tantrums, is tantrums the right word?"If you are Arsenal or whoever and you have got three or four striking targets... that is going to be a giant cross. That will be the question mark with Cunha." However, Chris Sutton, who won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 1994-95, disagreed."It's not a question mark," he said on the same show. "It's like saying don't sign Wayne Rooney back in the day."Williams believes Cunha's frustrations have stemmed from "being in a relegation battle for long periods and playing alongside players you are better than".She added: "Cunha would bring a big boost to United."If they were to recruit other players alongside him, I think you would see that frustration a lot less."I really like him as a player and think he would be a real positive for Ruben Amorim."
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
€150m midfield target? Liverpool eye Bundesliga star Florian Wirtz, but Bayer Leverkusen says not done deal yet
BERLIN, May 27 — Premier League champions Liverpool have 'concrete interest' in Bayer Leverkusen's in-demand midfielder Florian Wirtz, the German club's sporting director Simon Rolfes confirmed on Monday. At a press conference announcing former Manchester United coach Erik Ten Hag will take over as manager after Xabi Alonso's departure for Real Madrid, Rolfes said Liverpool were chasing Wirtz but a deal was not yet done. 'He's our player... No question there's a lot of interest,' Rolfes said. 'It's an open topic with Florian, we'll see. 'That there's concrete interest from Liverpool, that's clear, but there's nothing more to say at the moment.' Liverpool have been linked with a big-money move for the 22-year-old, who recently visited Merseyside. Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro previously said he would not let Wirtz leave for less than 150 million euros (125 million pounds, US$170 million), which would make him Liverpool's record signing and among the most expensive players of all time. Bayern Munich were also in hot pursuit of the midfielder but German media reported that Wirtz has his sights set on Liverpool. Sitting alongside Rolfes, Ten Hag praised the midfielder but would not reveal whether he would get the chance to manage him next season. 'He's definitely a great player and I've watched him with great pleasure in the past few years and followed his development. I'm very happy he plays for Leverkusen and I'm happy for him and his development. 'In professional football you never know until the first of September.' A hyped junior talent, Wirtz joined Leverkusen from local rivals Cologne in the summer of 2020. The midfielder was crucial as Leverkusen broke through to win their first league title in 2023-24, with Wirtz named Bundesliga player of the season. — AFP
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fulham 'close to breaking through next ceiling'
It feels slightly cruel that Fulham did not finish in the top half of the Premier League table. They flirted with the idea of European football for months, and 11th just does not feel like a justifiable ending given some of their performances. What is interesting about Marco Silva's side is that they do not fall into the 'flat track bully' category. They have been as good - if not better - at getting points off top-half sides compared with games against those struggling. That should offer a lot of encouragement. Clearly, consistency has been their nemesis in recent months. But Fulham are close to breaking through the next ceiling under Silva. He has shown that this season by leading the club to their record Premier League points tally. But how does he turn them into a team that can become a more regular fixture among those jostling for Europe? As ever, it will probably come down to investment. Silva's standing and respect as manager is strong enough now for him to openly call out what he feels he needs to get there. He said after the defeat by Manchester City on Sunday that he "wants to keep improving, but we have to have the same tools as the other clubs". That is his less-than-subtle way of asking to be backed in the transfer market. There is always a balance to be found with these situations, but I think most Fulham fans are realistic enough to recognise that if the club are to kick on again under Silva, he is going to need to spend this summer.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Fulham 'close to breaking through next ceiling'
It feels slightly cruel that Fulham did not finish in the top half of the Premier League flirted with the idea of European football for months, and 11th just does not feel like a justifiable ending given some of their is interesting about Marco Silva's side is that they do not fall into the 'flat track bully' category. They have been as good - if not better - at getting points off top-half sides compared with games against those struggling. That should offer a lot of consistency has been their nemesis in recent months. But Fulham are close to breaking through the next ceiling under Silva. He has shown that this season by leading the club to their record Premier League points how does he turn them into a team that can become a more regular fixture among those jostling for Europe? As ever, it will probably come down to standing and respect as manager is strong enough now for him to openly call out what he feels he needs to get there. He said after the defeat by Manchester City on Sunday that he "wants to keep improving, but we have to have the same tools as the other clubs".That is his less-than-subtle way of asking to be backed in the transfer is always a balance to be found with these situations, but I think most Fulham fans are realistic enough to recognise that if the club are to kick on again under Silva, he is going to need to spend this summer.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inter Milan Raise Offer For Juventus Linked Marseille Star To €27M – Still €3M Short
Inter Milan have bumped up their offer for Luis Henrique to €27 million, but Marseille are still holding out for a higher bid. This according to today's print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews. They report that Marseille want €30 million for the 23-year-old. Inter Milan have been in talks with Marseille for the past several weeks regarding winger Luis Henrique..= And reportedly, the Nerazzurri have been getting closer and closer to a deal for the Brazilian. Inter Milan see Henrique as the ideal reinforcement at wingback. They want the 23-year-old to become backup and competition for Denzel Dumfries on the right flank. Inter have already agreed personal terms with Henrique. He is ready to sign a five-year deal worth €2.2 million next season, rising over the course of the contract. Meanwhile, Inter have been inching their offer to Marseille up. There is no question that Marseille are willing to sell Luis Henrique this summer. However, at the same time, the Ligue 1 side are determined to cash in on the Brazilian to the greatest extent possible. Therefore, Inter have had to continually offer more, bit by bit. Tuttosport report that the Nerazzurri are now offering a deal worth €27 million. They have put an initial €24 million on the table, plus €3 million in eventual add-ons. However, the newspaper report, Marseille have not green lit a deal at this fee. Rather, Tuttosport anticipate, the French club are still sticking to their €30 million valuation.
