Matheus Cunha: Forward hints he is staying at Wolves with goal celebration

Some fans could have been forgiven for thinking Saturday’s game against Aston Villa would be Matheus Cunha’s last in a Wolves shirt.

The Brazil forward, 25, has scored 11 goals in 23 Premier League games for Wolves this season, but has been linked with a move away from Molineux in the past month.

With the transfer window closing on Monday evening, it looked like Cunha could have left with a brilliant farewell goal, curling past Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to seal a 2-0 win in the West Midlands derby.

Cunha appeared to signal his desire to stay at the club, pointing to the Wolves crest on his shirt and blowing kisses to the crowd.

After appearing to mimic signing a contract, not only is Cunha set to stay at Wolves, sources have told BBC Sport he has penned a new deal which will be announced in due course.

Head coach Vitor Pereira said after the game – which lifted Wolves out of the bottom three – the former Atletico Madrid forward is “committed” to the club and determined to ensure they begin next season in the top flight.

“He knows in the future he can play for the best teams in England, but he’s committed with us,” Pereira told BBC Match of the Day.

“He has the conscience that it is very important if he leaves, to leave the club in the Premier League.

“He has this quality. He is a special player. He has the quality to get the ball and create a goal alone.”

In a separate post-match interview with Sky Sports, Pereira added: “The last conversation we had, he said to me ‘I will help the team to be in the Premier League next season and then at the end of the season we will see’.

“With this quality, I believe and I am sure we will be in the Premier League next season.”

Wolves initially signed Cunha on loan from Atletico Madrid in December 2022 in a deal that had the potential to reach £35m.

He began his professional career with Swiss club Sion in 2017, and has also played for RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin in Germany.