Manchester United optimistic that Nottingham Forest transfer target will join them instead

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Nottingham Forest will go in search of new forward players during the summer transfer window after failing during the last two transfer periods.

Evangelos Marinakis wanted a striker in January. With Forest third in the Premier League, however, many clubs increased the valuation of their players and that left the Reds pretty disappointed.

Yoane Wissa was a target for Forest. However, he is Brentford’s most important player right now and Thomas Frank rightly wanted to keep him at least until the end of the season.

Another Forest target was Igor Jesus. Arsenal were also keen on signing him in January but he’s stayed loyal to Brazilian champions Botafogo and is unlikely to move to Europe until the summer.

Another player on the radar of Forest was Wolves star Matheus Cunha. With relegation in the balance for them, however, Cunha signed a new contract, remaining loyal to the club that originally brought him to England.

• READ MORE: Nottingham Forest player ratings vs Fulham

Manchester United to trigger Matheus Cunha release clause

According to Give Me Sport, United are extremely interested in the signing of Cunha. The striker will have a release clause of £62.5 million that becomes active during the summer transfer window.

Such a valuation will likely price Forest out. However, United will be going in search of a number of new players this summer and Cunha looks like a top target for the Red Devils.

Morgan Gibbs-White has already endorsed the signing of Cunha. He raved about him after the player scored against the Reds during the 2023/23 campaign when the teams drew 2-2.

Forest will definitely go in search of a new striker in the summer. Chris Wood has bagged 18 goals this season but in 2025/26 competition needs to be stronger for his place, especially if the Reds are in Europe.

Matheus Cunha stats 2024/25

The Brazilian performer is a top Premier League player and if Wolves stay up this season it’s likely that he will play a pivotal role.

Cunha’s stats aren’t too dissimilar to Wood’s when it comes to xG. As a result, it looks as if Cunha would be the perfect signing for Forest to complete in the summer.

Bizarrely, United might be one of the world’s biggest football clubs but with Europe unlikely for them next season, perhaps Cunha will think twice about joining them.

It will be interesting to see who ends up signing Cunha during the summer and it does feel as though he’d be perfect for Forest if the funds could be sorted over a huge deal.