Wolves striker signing hopes grow as Atletico Madrid identify striker with Man City past as Lopetegui target’s replacement

Atletico Madrid might just have pushed Matheus Cunha one step closer to Wolves after reportedly identifying a replacement for the striker.

Cunha is one of the players who could leave Atletico Madrid in January following their elimination from the Champions League. The striker is yet to find the back of the net this season, despite making 17 appearances in all competitions.

Although they only signed him last year from Hertha Berlin, Atletico Madrid are ready to move on from Cunha. Recently, it emerged that Wolves could be his most likely destination.

There have even been claims that a deal has been agreed for Wolves to sign Cunha from the La Liga giants. Despite this, reports of competition from elsewhere in the Premier League have provided cause for concern.

Still, everything seems to be working in Wolves’ favour. Now, another promising update has come their way.

According to AS, Atletico Madrid have lined up someone who they think can replace Cunha. The man they are looking at is Getafe forward Enes Unal.

Owned by Manchester City between 2015 and 2017 without ever making a first-team appearance, Unal was on the books of Villarreal for the next three years before joining Getafe.

He has finally settled at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, scoring 26 goals from 81 appearances in a Getafe shirt. This season, he has got five goals to his name from 15 appearances in all competitions.

His contract is due to last until 2025, but Atletico Madrid could take him away before then. They have already carried out scouting missions for him and January might be their time to make a move.

They will have to beat competition from Juventus for his signature after the Serie A side registered their interest with his agent. But the imminent departure of Cunha might mean Atletico’s need is greater.

Although Atletico’s motive in terms of selling Cunha is to balance their finances, they still feel they need numbers in their squad. Presumably, they think they can get Unal on lower wages than Cunha earns.

Chain of events with Matheus Cunha to play into Wolves hands

It could lead to a chain of events that might benefit all concerned. Wolves would find it easier to get the player they want, whom Atletico would replace with someone Diego Simeone might prefer.

The only question is whether Cunha will be able to produce something more effective in the Premier League.

Wolves are in need of more quality in attack, since they are the lowest scorers in the Premier League with just eight goals this season. Their issues follow on from last season, when only the three relegated sides scored less frequently than them.

If Cunha can offer them something different, then their fortunes might just change. They simply need that to be the case or it could be a troubling conclusion to the season in 2023.

With Atletico viewing someone who has only scored three goals in 30 international caps for Turkey as more suitable, though, it isn’t exactly like a brilliant picture is being painted of Cunha.

As a full Brazil international of eight caps himself, though, and with age on his side at 23, only time will tell how he adapts to a different environment.

READ MORE: Popular Wolves centre-forward now set to leave with Lopetegui’s £42m replacement already lined up