Wolves manager Vitor Pereira says Matheus Cunha never asked for a move and will not be sold this month amid reports linking his top scorer with Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
Forward Cunha, who has 10 goals and four assists in 21 Premier League appearances this season, was criticized Pereira for his body language After his side 3-1 defeat at Chelsea on Monday, Doc Sky Sports was among the outlets who claimed the Gunners and Forest wanted the Brazil International, adding that the 25-year-old had four top suitors.
“We had a conversation,” said Pereira, whose side host Arsenal on Saturday (1500 GMT). “He is ready to play, very dedicated to us and ready to help the team.
“He never asked me [if he could] leave the club. He wants to be with us to try to win the game. He is my player; I don’t think it’s for sale, this is information from the club. “
Matheus Cunha statistics
Cunha first joined Wolves on loan from Atletico Madrid in December 2022 and cost £44m with an obligation to buy him at the end of the 2022/23 season.
The former Hertha Berlin and Leipzig hotshot provided 14 goals and eight assists in 36 appearances in his first full campaign and continued his prolific form this season, including two goals and an assist in Pereira’s first two games in charge after being appointed on 19 December.
Those games ended with wins against Leicester City and Manchester United, but Wolves took one point from four matches, hampered by injury and a one-game suspension for Cunha.
Forest, Arsenal linked to Cunha
Forest are said to be preparing an offer higher than the club-record £35m they paid Newcastle for midfielder Elliot Anderson in July, while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday he was actively pursuing attacking targets.
“He knows what I want from him as captain,” Pereira said of Cunha, who is out of contract in 2027, describing keeping him at the club as “very important”. “What we need from him is to play at his high level and be dedicated to the team.”
Wolves are above third-placed Ipswich Town on goal difference and four points behind fifth-placed Everton ahead of their trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Runner-up Arsenal are 28 points above wanderers and six shy of leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand and an eight-goal advantage.
Wolves have scored twice in defeat in their last seven fixtures, most recently winning when they did the double over Arsenal in 2020/21.
