Man Utd could repeat Joshua Zirkzee trick this summer with Matheus Cunha, Wolves open to the idea

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Matheus Cunha looks likely to be the top priority for Manchester United this summer, with personal terms already advancing.

For Ruben Amorim, no other area of his squad will be a bigger target this summer than reinforcing the offence.

It is goals which have been the most prominent problem within the Manchester United squad this season as nobody has really pulled their weight other than Bruno Fernandes.

Due to this, three of the Premier League’s top 11 scorers this season are players linked with coming to Old Trafford in a move which would overhaul the forward options at the disposal of Amorim next season.

• Bryan Mbeumo – 18 goals
• Matheus Cunha – 14 goals
• Liam Delap – 12 goals

It was reported that United are considering both Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha. Meanwhile, it has also been suggested that Bryan Mbeumo is an attacking option for United this summer.

Now, a move for Cunha in particular is starting to develop.

• READ: Who is Man Utd signing Matheus Cunha? Age, position, stats, release clause and Rio Ferdinand recommendation

Wolves open to Manchester United paying instalments for Matheus Cunha

It has emerged in recent days that United are advancing with personal terms talks with Cunha, in a bid to arrange the transfer speedily before the summer transfer window truly begins.

This has been reinforced by Fabrizio Romano, who explained that United have a ‘great connection with Cunha, which was on show this past Sunday during the 1-0 loss, when Amorim had his arm around Cunha while heading down the tunnel.

Now, it has been reported by The Athletic that United have held positive talks on a deal to sign Cunha this summer.

It is claimed that Wolves want to receive Cunha’s £62.5m release clause in full, however, the Molineux side are open to instalments, which is a move United have used before.

The report continues that Amorim and the decision makers at United are aligned on Cunha as the top target for the number 10 position this summer in a move which could prove revolutionary for this team.

United view Cunha as a player at the peak of his powers, and so he is perfect to come in and make an immediate impact. If the deal is done through instalments it would been a repeat of the trick used to afford Joshua Zirkzee last summer.

• READ: Who is Joshua Zirkzee? Meet the 6’4″ Man Utd signing who reminds Thiago Motta of Ronaldinho

Manchester United would be repeating Joshua Zirkzee trick

Money this summer is set to be equally as stretched for United as it was last summer, with the sale of several players expected to slightly ease this struggle. In particular, the sale of academy graduates such as Marcus Rashford is likely to hand Ineos the room to manoeuvre and make some serious moves in the window.

However, even if United had a freer budget, using instalments for Cunha is still an advisable move as it means a lower fee immediately, as a release clause must be paid in full. Therefore, instalments make it easier to complete subsequent deals.

This could mean three instalments of £20.8m, and replicates a move used by United in the 2024 summer window.

Here, United avoided paying Zirkzee’s £34m release clause by instead agreeing an instalment deal which amounted to slightly more at £36m, but gave the Red Devils scope to go out and sign three more players.

This would be smart, and potentially allow to club to recruit another number 10 on top of Cunha.