Newcastle plot move for £62.5m Man Utd & Arsenal target | OneFootball

Newcastle United will make Matheus Cunha one of their top transfer targets this summer, a new report states.

The Magpies are pushing to qualify for next season's Champions League, knowing a top-five finish will grant them a seat at European football's top table.

It's been a superb campaign for Eddie Howe's side, regardless of where they end up finishing in the Premier League, with victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final ending the club's 56-year trophy drought.

Much of Newcastle's success can be attributed to the regular goalscoring of Alexander Isak, but the Swede's impressive form does come at a cost – his 24 goals in 35 appearances have seen him climb to the top of Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona's striker shortlists.

Mail Sport report, however, that there's growing confidence that Isak will remain at St James' Park, with Newcastle's focus now switching to who they can sign in order to bolster their attacking ranks even further.

It's stated that Cunha, who has a £62.5m release clause in his Wolves contract and is a known target for Manchester United and Arsenal, is one of the players Newcastle are considering this summer.

Newcastle will want to partner Cunha with Alexander Isak rather than use him as a replacement / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Cunha's ability to play in multiple positions is a major factor in Newcastle's interest. For Wolves, he has often led the line or played in behind Jorgen Strand Larsen as a No 10, but he is also capable of playing as a traditional winger or inside forward, as well as a number eight in a three-man midfield.

One trump card Newcastle have is the presence of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton – two of Cunha's international teammates – and it's likely they will speak highly of their experiences in the North East, owing to their tremendous relationships with the club's fans.

Getting a deal over the line won't be straightforward though. Man Utd's interest stems from poor individual seasons for Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee – both of whom may be playing for their futures at Old Trafford – while Arsenal have long been seeking a central striker able to compete with Kai Havertz for minutes.

Isak's price tag is likely to steer Arsenal towards Cunha, who only signed a new contract with Wolves in February but remains keen to further his career at a bigger club.