Manchester United close in on Matheus Cunha after meeting Wolves release clause

Manchester United have been granted permission by Wolves to finalise a deal to sign Matheus Cunha, the PA news agency understands.

The 26-year-old has been a key target for the Red Devils as Ruben Amorim looks to reshape the team on the back of the club’s worst season in 51 years.

United had sought to negotiate with Wolves over the terms of Cunha’s deal but have now met the Brazil international’s £62.5 million (€74.4 million) release clause and been given permission to start a medical.

The forward thanked Wolves fans after the “best season” of his life in an Instagram post, having scored 17 times in all competitions and equalled the record for the most goals by a Brazilian in a Premier League campaign with 15.

Cunha celebrated turned 26 on Tuesday, when his birthday will have been made all the sweeter by that evening’s development.

It will be welcome news to United boss Amorim when he wakes up in Kuala Lumpur, where the club play a friendly on Wednesday before playing another game in Hong Kong two days later as part of a money-spinning post-season tour.

Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Ipswich striker Liam Delap are among other players of interest to United, but business has been made harder by the fact they failed to qualify for the Champions League, worth an estimated £100 million.

Amorim said in Malaysia on Tuesday: “Omar (Berrada, chief executive) can explain (the ramifications) better than me, but I think we always prepared two plans – one with Champions League, one without Champions League.

“Without Champions League, we also don’t need a big squad. We can control the squad in a better way.

“Then we have a plan that is to bring some new players, of course, but our big plan is to improve the team that we have, it’s to