Matheus Cunha is on the verge of completing a move to defending La Liga champions Atletico Madrid according to Marca. The Brazilian forward will cost Atletico around €30m, with the player arriving in the Spanish capital this afternoon to undergo a medical. Cunha was also of interest to Premier League side Everton, but will instead join Los Rojiblancos from Hertha Berlin.
Diego Simeone was keen to recruit another centre-forward as he builds a team he hopes is capable of defending their league title. Luis Suarez remains their differential player, but aside from him there isn’t a major striker in an otherwise strong squad. Rafa Mir had been of interest to Atletico, only for the Murcian to join Sevilla. Dusan Vlahovic, of Fiorentina, proved too expensive.
The deal to sign Cunha is on the verge of being closed, however, although the Brazilian is of a different profile to what it had been thought Simeone was after. He contributed eight goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga last term, and was a key part of the Brazilian squad that beat La Roja to win gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Cunha’s profile, however, is thought to be more similar to someone like Angel Correa or Joao Felix than Suarez.
Matheus Cunha to Atletico Madrid, done deal and here-we-go confirmed. Paperworks completed yesterday night for €30m to Hertha Berlin, medical now scheduled in order to announce the new signing. 🔴🇧🇷 #Atleti
Everton were interested in Matheus Cunha too – but he’s joining Atléti.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 24, 2021
“I think he’d fit La Liga like a glove,” German football expert Jasmine Baba told Football Espana. “He’s good, talented. His one-on-one attacking is great, he’s fast, good decision-making. He has flair that he hasn’t been able to utilise at Hertha, and I think he needs a change of scenery now.”
