Arsenal and Liverpool £44m target handed FA ban 24 hours before window opens

Arsenal and Liverpool transfer target Matheus Cunha has been slapped with a two-game ban after an incident during the Premier League meeting between Wolves and Ipswich earlier this season.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a head-turning start to the season despite Wolves' struggle in form and has attracted suitors in the Gunners and the Reds ahead of the January window. Cunha has bagged 10 top flight goals this term, six of those coming over the last two months.

Arsenal are known to be in the market for an extra attacking option with Mikel Arteta still swapping between Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz to lead the line. An injury to star boy Bukayo Saka is another setback in the North London club's hopes of catching Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

Arsenal and Liverpool monitoring transfer for Wolves ace

This week, GiveMeSport reported that Arsenal have indeed been 'monitoring' a potential move for the Wolves forward but that club-to-club talks are yet to take place. Any January move for the player could be ambitious with Wolves in a relegation battle but the Gunners have ground to make up in the Premier League to close the nine point gap to Liverpool and must act decisively.

Talking to GiveMeSport, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano said: "Arsenal have been tracking Cunha's progress even before his recent excellent form but no club-to-club contact has been made so far and Wolves insist on their intention to keep Cunha until June. Let's see what happens, based on eventual proposals."

TBRFootball have also claimed that Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle United are all also interested in a potential swoop for Cunha. The Brazilian arrived at Molineux from Atletico Madrid for £44 million in December 2022.

As well as transfer talk, Cunha has had the potential of an FA ban hanging over his head as the window approaches and that punishment has now been confirmed.

The striker was involved in an altercation with a member of Ipswich Town staff at the end of a Premier League fixture on December 14 and the two-game ban has come with an £80,000 fine from the FA too. The incident came after Jack Taylor scored a late winner for the Tractor Boys in Gary O'Neil's last fixture in charge of the side.

Vitor Pereira determined to keep Cunha at Molineux

In a statement from the FA, it said: "Matheus Cunha has been suspended for two games and fined £80,000 following the Premier League fixture between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town on Saturday 14 December 2024.

"The forward was charged with misconduct and it was alleged that he acted in an improper manner after the final whistle. He admitted the charge and the sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission. Full written reasons for this case will be published in due course."

Cunha will now miss the Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest and the FA Cup trip to Bristol City the following Saturday.

Speaking about the player’s future at Molineux recently, new Wolves boss Vitor Pereira said: "I hope he stays with us for a long time, but I understand that as a special player - he will have opportunities for sure in his career.

"It is not only about his technique, but his personality. He is special because he can take the ball in a moment of pressure and make magic from nothing. It was magic what he did [against United]."