There’s been fresh developments in the race for Wolves’ star man Matheus Cunha, who we have been strongly linked to in the past few weeks.

From Sky Sports’ Keith Downie and The Mail’s Craig Hope both reporting our interest because of his versatility in attack, transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano hinted that we were looking to get a “quick deal” sorted for the Brazilian.

However, we may need to move even quicker, as Romano has now commented that another Premier League club has become the frontrunner to sign Cunha this summer.

Romano: “Man United feel they’re leading the race”

Posting on his X account, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Cunha had recently held personal talks with Manchester United.

He reports: “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.”

With the 25-year-old reportedly keen to sort out his next club as soon as possible, we may need to get a move on to land Cunha.

Competing with Manchester United may be something we want to avoid purely for the historically ridiculous wages they have been able to offer players, but we could have the advantage of European football; which they’ll only offer if they somehow win the Europa League.

A release clause of £62.5m is embedded in his current contract with Wolves, but would we pay that and potentially break our wage structure to accommodate a very talented albeit hot-headed player?

How can we lead the race for Cunha?

Romano notes that Cunha may have been sold on moving to Man Utd over the ‘project’ being developed at the club by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada and co.

But when it comes to ongoing projects in the Premier League and amongst the European elite, there’s perhaps few more exciting and forward-thinking than ours.

With European football guaranteed for next season, a wealth of talent currently at the club to play alongside, and even some international teammates of Cunha’s in the heart of midfield, some time on Tyneside may just be the right thing for Cunha at this stage of his career.