FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - DECEMBER 20: Matheus Cunha of Hertha BSC Berlin in action during the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Hertha BSC at Schwarzwald-Stadion on December 20, 2020 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Sporting stadiums around Germany remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
Earlier in January, a report from Sky Sports mentioned Wolves among a host of top clubs in Europe weighing up a move for Brazilian attacker Matheus Cunha, who was plying his trade with RB Leipzig back then. However, the youngster poured cold water on those rumours and ended up completing a move to fellow Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin.
Matheus Cunha started his career in the youth ranks of Coritiba in Brazil before moving to Europe with FC Sion in Switzerland. He was an instant hit and went on to register an impressive tally of 10 goals and 8 assists in all competitions for the Swiss top-flight outfit in his debut season.
The 21-year-old’s exploits prompted RB Leipzig to offer him a route to Germany in 2018. Cunha scored thrice in 6 Europa League outings for the club but struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in the Bundesliga. Top-flight rivals Hertha Berlin snapped him up in January 2020 and the Brazilian has really come to the fore ever since.
Having bagged 5 league goals in 11 appearances during the second half of last season, the versatile forward has continued to fire on all cylinders this term. Despite Hertha enduring an inconsistent start to the 2020-21 campaign, Cunha has contributed with 6 goals and 2 assists in just 12 Bundesliga appearances so far.
Wolves have had their fair share of inconsistencies this season after a productive campaign last time around that saw the Midlands outfit finish 7th in the PL and also reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
While they have shown their quality in wins over Arsenal and Chelsea, defeats against Burnley, West Ham and Aston Villa should surely give Nuno Santo plenty of food for thought heading into the winter market.
With just 14 goals scored in 14 games so far, it is a no-brainer that the Black Country club should seek some additional firepower next month. Raul Jimenez scored 4 times in the PL before suffering a dreadful head injury against Arsenal last month.
The talismanic Mexican has been the key goal contributor for Wolves over the past two seasons but they now risk being without his services for an extended period, with no timeline placed on his return yet.
Given that summer signing Fabio Silva is yet to step up, Wolves have been left to rue the departure of Digo Jota to Liverpool. The likes of Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto have produced some quality performances but with Adama Traore struggling for form, Nuno Santo should have one eye on reinforcements in January.
Wolves making a renewed attempt to sign Matheus Cunha next month would make plenty of sense in footballing terms. The Brazilian has been unplayable at times in the Bundesliga ever since his move to Hertha Berlin, with 12 goals in 24 appearances for the club.
Although he is essentially a centre-forward by trade, the 21-year-old has largely been utilised as a wide attacker on either flank and also in a No.10 role. Considering his versatility to operate anywhere across the forward line, a potential deal for the Brazilian in January would surely add more depth, variety and firepower to Wolves’ attack.
Wolves need more quality in their attack to make a return to Europe and Matheus Cunha ticks the box as a top young player with plenty of room for development. The Brazilian has already proven his quality in Germany and looks more than ready to make the step-up to English football.
Having said that, Wolves splashing the cash on the in-form Bundesliga star next month would be a fantastic bit of business with one eye on the future.