TNT Sports
Manchester United close to Matheus Cunha deal and move for 'Argentine Phil Foden' from River Plate - Paper Round
By
Published 21/04/2025 at 23:24 GMT+1
Tuesday's Paper Round leads on Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim's side close to agreeing a deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha. United are also tracking River Plate's Franco Mastantuono and are among the Premier League clubs to have learned Viktor Gyokeres' release clause this summer. There's also talk of Jamie Vardy leaving Leicester City following their relegation.
'We had the game' - Amorim says Man Utd were 'the better team' in Wolves defeat
Video credit: SNTV
Man Utd close on Cunha...
Manchester United are close to agreeing a move for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, the Daily Mail reports. Cunha is said to favour a move to Old Trafford despite interest from other clubs.
United will need to activate the Brazilian's ÂŁ62.5m release clause but are confident of agreeing terms by the end of next month.
The Mail adds: "Newcastle United have been the main competition for Cunha's signature, and they were keen to utilise him on the left of their attack, but the 25-year old looks to have been swayed by the prospect of playing a pivotal role in Ruben Amorim's squad revamp.
"Amorim has made no secret of his admiration for Cunha, praising his versatility and goals output. The United manager was also spotted in conversation with Cunha after United and Wolves met at Molineux and again in the tunnel at Old Trafford on Sunday.
"United also hope to sign Ipswich Town's Liam Delap but face increasing competition for his signature as Chelsea and others consider activating his ÂŁ30m release clause.
"Owing to PSR, finances are at a premium for Amorim, and further recruitment plans will hinge on sales and whether they can qualify for Europe."
...and also the 'Argentine Phil Foden'
United could also make a move for the £38m-rated Franco Mastantuono who has been dubbed “the Argentine Phil Foden”, The Sun reports.
The River Plate 17-year-old could be part of United's summer reshuffle, but Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan are also interested in the promising teenager.
The Sun adds: "Mastantuono, the latest off the astonishing River Plate production line, became the youngest scorer in the club’s history when he netted in an Argentinian Cup win over Excursionistas in February 2024 at just 16 years and five months - beating the record held by Javier Saviola.
"He has added five more goals since, capped by a stunning individual strike in last week’s win over Gimnasia as he picked the ball up on the right and exploded inside, leaving three defenders for dead before finding the bottom corner with his favoured left foot.
"That style of play, starting on the right, has seen the comparisons to Foden."
Vardy could move abroad
Jamie Vardy is the subject of interest from clubs in the MLS and could move to the United States if he decides to leave Leicester this summer, The Sun reports.
The striker expressed his disappointment at Leicester's relegation this weekend and it remains to be seen whether he will play with them upon their return to the Championship.
The Sun adds: "Sources close to the star say the 38-year-old is also waiting for clarity around the future of the manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
"Reports suggest he could be replaced in the wake of Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League.
"That decision is likely to have a bearing on what Vardy decides to do.
"Vardy is widely regarded as Leicester’s greatest ever player, and his goals helped fire the club to a fairytale title under Claudio Ranieri."
Gyokeres' release clause
Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres will be available for just ÂŁ60m this summer, the Mirror reports, with the figure less than his original release clause.
The Swede is one of the most sought-after strikers with Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all set to fight for his signature.
The Mirror adds: "All three clubs are said to be interested in the 26-year-old - and there is set to be a tug of war for his signature at the end of the season, especially after learning of his surprisingly low release clause.
"Interested teams will only have to fork out around ÂŁ60m for the former Brighton and Coventry City star this summer. The report says after Gyokeres arrived at Sporting in 2023 and performed so well, an agreement was made that the club would not enforce his original ÂŁ85.7m release clause."
- - -
TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024-25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination
Advertisement
Advertisement