Wolves close to winning race for in-demand striker

Wolves are close to finalising a deal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Matheus Cunha, 90min understands.

90min confirmed earlier this month that Wolves had held talks with Atletico over a double deal for both Cunha and centre-back Felipe.

A number of Premier League rivals later voiced their desire to land Cunha. Aston Villa, Everton and Leeds have all spoken with Atletico, while the striker's representatives have offered his services to Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United.

Cunha is understood to be interested in working with Julen Lopetegui and sources have confirmed that a deal has been agreed the two clubs which would see the 23-year-old move to Molineux on an initial loan deal.

The agreement is also understood to include a purchase clause worth around €40m.

In an interview with Marca, Lopetegui was asked a general question about how he could reignite Wolves' struggling attack and he revealed that a deal to sign Cunha is nearing completion.

“Convincing the boys that they have much more capacity. We will also try to improve the team in the January market – Cunha is close,” he confessed.

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Many of the sides contacted by Cunha's representatives did not immediately rule out a possible move for the Brazilian, who has seven goals and eight assists in 54 appearances for Atletico, thanks to the club-friendly nature of the deal on the table, but it's Wolves who are inching closest to getting a deal done.

This season, Cunha failed to score in any of his 17 appearances for Los Rojiblancos, but just two of those outings came as a starter, such is his current standing in the squad under Diego Simeone.