Man Utd on verge of £63m transfer error that Crystal Palace will celebrate - opinion

Manchester United are in negotiations with Wolves forward Matheus Cunha over a £62.5 million transfer to Old Trafford. That move may take place 235 miles away from Selhurst Park, but it’s news that warrants celebrating in south London.

Having bagged 14 top flight goals this season, Cunha is a player that has turned the heads of several Premier League clubs ahead of the summer window. The Brazilian only signed a new contract at Molineux in February, but that deal is known to include a £62.5 million release clause that would facilitate a summer exit.

In his latest update via the GiveMeSport newsletter, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote: “The negotiations are ongoing on player side. Discussions are going well, Manchester United are optimistic.”

Manchester United move to sign Matheus Cunha

That comes after Sky Sports News last week reported that Cunha was very high on Ruben Amorim’s shopping list for the Red Devils this summer. Manchester United have looked toothless this season with Rasmus Hojlund struggling for goals as he leads the line.

In an update on Tuesday, Romano had written on social media platform X: “More on Matheus Cunha and Man United. The feeling between player side and club side on new meeting was very positive, after project explained and terms discussed. More meetings will be needed but Man United feel they’re leading the race for Cunha, as reported yesterday.”

What’s it got to do with Crystal Palace? Amorim’s search for a new striker was tipped to take him knocking on the door at Selhurst Park with interest in Jean-Phillipe Mateta. The Frenchman has plundered 16 goals across all competitions this season and had been hotly linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Speaking on Deadline Day in February, former Arsenal star Paul Merson told Sky Sports: “Man United should get Mateta, that’s what they need. He’s a strong lad up front, playing at the top of his game, he leads the line, scoring goals now. He runs and works his socks off harder than anyone you know. But they won’t because he plays for Palace. And everyone would go: “what are you buying him for?”

“But he’s 100 times better than anyone Man Utd have in the front line. Not Amad, he’s a young kid – but he’s much better than Hojlund and Zirkzee at the moment. And Man Utd are playing Mainoo up front. If you’re one of those two centre forwards, I would say: I might as well go out on loan and play for Exeter this month.”

Crystal Palace relief in Ruben Amorim transfer choice

There’s no doubt that Crystal Palace won’t want to lose Mateta. He’s a proven Premier League goalscorer and the focal point of an Eagles side that is blossoming under Oliver Glasner - the equaliser against Arsenal his latest impressive exploit. Manchester United may have had the money to tempt Steve Parish too but, if they are about to blow more than £60 million on Cunha, any sizeable bid for Mateta is surely unlikely.

It’s probably a mistake for Manchester United to prioritise the Wolves man. Not only had Sky Sports claimed that Mateta would cost £40 million, much less than Cunha, but he’s proven himself a more level headed option too. Cunha recently served a four match ban after a red card suspension was upgraded by the FA and is capable of the kind of silly moments Amorim should want to avoid at Manchester United.

Speaking about Mateta at the Olympics last summer, France under-21 coach Thierry Henry said: “He’s an old-fashioned striker, you can play a little more direct. He can keep the ball. He’s a boring striker to play against, he doesn’t lose the ball much, and he goes at the last defender. He uses his physicality, he’s good with his head, and he scores. It’s important that a striker like that gives you another dimension. He was also voted Player of the Year at Crystal Palace. It seems to me that he’s not too bad.”

What’s more, it had been claimed that Manchester United were ready to offer Hojlund to Crystal Palace as part of a swap deal. Whether the club would ever have accepted that is unknown, but that’s a bullet dodged.

Emphasising that Hojlund is not ready to be the main man for a top flight club, Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer told Match of the Day 2: "I am looking at a damaged player in Hojlund. He wasn't ready and isn't ready to lead the attack at a club like Man Utd. I am seeing a guy who doesn't want to get in there. There is no doubt a crisis in confidence. He has been put into a really difficult situation.

"He is not at the stage of his career to lead the line. I'm not saying there is not a good player there, I think there is, but with the pressure there is, he is not ready to lead the line yet."

In other news, Crystal Palace 'agree' new contract with defender linked with Premier League exit.