Newcastle United are ready to rival Manchester United for Matheus Cunha, talkSPORT understands.
The Magpies have made contact with the Brazilian’s camp ahead of a potential summer move.
The Wolves star has a £62.5 million release clause in the deal he signed earlier this year, which had led to Man United registering their interest.
Man United are looking for a number 10 to fit into Ruben Amorim‘s rigid 3-4-2-1 system.
Amorim is keen to bolster his attacking options as he continues his Old Trafford rebuild.
Nottingham Forest and Arsenal have been keen on the versatile forward, though the Gunners also have a number of European targets.
Arsenal have also been keeping tabs on Cunha but the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams are ahead of him on their list in both the number nine and left-wing positions.
Nottingham Forest retain a firm interest in Cunha, but it’s understood from those close the player that he prefers to join a big-six club, even if Forest qualify for the Champions League.
However, Newcastle appear to have made the first move to secure Cunha’s signature.
It is understood Cunha’s agent will fly to England soon for face-to-face talks with potential suitors, and has already made some initial contact with United.
Cunha, who has netted 13 times in the Premier League so far this season, has been eyed by a number of top clubs, despite recently penning a new deal with the Midlands side.
Despite his promise in front of goal, Cunha’s hot-headedness has landed him with a number of bans throughout the season.
The 25-year-old has missed Wolves’ last four matches through suspension following his sending off against Bournemouth.
Cunha was dismissed in the FA Cup fifth round tie after an altercation with Milos Kerkez in which he headbutted and kicked the Cherries defender.
His three-match ban was then extended to four, which he completed following Saturday’s win at Ipswich.
The Brazilian forward was fined £50,000 on top of the extended ban but returns to the squad ahead of Wolves’ clash with Tottenham on Sunday.
Despite the absence, he remains Wolves’ top scorer this season with a total of 15 strikes across all competitions.
The 25-year-old joined from Atletico Madrid in 2023 following an initial loan spell, and he extended his stay back in February.
Cunha’s new four-year deal is set to run through until the summer of 2029, though Newcastle, Man United, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have all added him to their summer wish-list.
Wolves host Tottenham at the Molineux on Sunday before travelling to Old Trafford to face Man United.
Vitor Pereira’s side are in 17th in the Premier League table.
