MATHEUS CUNHA confirmed he wants to quit Wolves so he can “take the next step and fight for big titles”.
The Brazil forward, 25, was the subject of strong January interest from Arsenal.
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Chelsea, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest also wanted to sign the star while Manchester United are interested, too.
However, not only did he stay put at Molineux – but he also signed a new contract.
The fresh four-and-a-half deal tied Cunha down in the West Midlands until 2029.
However, it also reportedly included a £62.5million release clause.
And now Cunha has openly confessed what SunSport reported in January – that he wants out of the club when the transfer market reopens in the summer.
Cunha’s 13 Premier League goals look set to be enough to help keep Wolves in the division – unless Leicester or Ipswich can produce a remarkable turnaround to avoid relegation.
And with his work all-but complete, the Selecao star is ready to start challenging at the right end of the table – after staying put in January.
He told the Guardian: “I had a lot of offers but I wouldn’t feel well if I had done it.
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“Some things you can’t control but I couldn’t leave the club in the middle of the season, in a difficult situation, in the relegation zone.
“Now, we’re close to achieving our goal [of staying up].
“But I’ve made it clear that I need to take the next step.
“I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential.”
Cunha arrived at Wolves from Atletico Madrid in 2023, initially on loan before securing a £44m transfer.
The former Sion, RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin attacker is yet to win a trophy in club football.
However, with Brazil, he did win the 2019 Toulon Tournament and then secure an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
But his incredible talent is not limited to the football pitch – for Cunha can speak six languages fluently: Portuguese, English, Italian, French, German and Spanish.
‘WOLVES GAVE ME JOY’
And despite his clear ability, Cunha is candid in his acknowledgement he – like all young men – needs a loving, supportive environment in order to thrive.
He added: “Sometimes all we want in life is affection.
“People think we have everything, but we’re human beings, too. We need a bit of understanding – we have our difficulties.
“Wolves gave me that joy back. The fans [have given] me a lot.
“The status I have today, the player I am now and the happiness I’m feeling, it’s because of them. I’m really grateful to Wolves.
“I love learning, but I don’t like the football life. The football life deprives you of a lot.
“I left home and have been living off football since I was 13.
“Maybe when I stop, I’ll be a bit calmer and can think about coaching.
“But I’ll need to take a few years off to rest, get my head round it and live like a normal person for a while. I need to live a different life.”
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