Official: Matheus Cunha signs with Atlético until 2026

Atlético already have a forward: Matheus Cunha. The rojiblanco club had been combing the transfer market all summer in search of a reinforcement at the top that could complement, give rest or replace Luis Suárez. The 22-year-old Brazilian player arrives from Hertha Berlin, costs between 25 and 30 million, signs until 2026 and lands in Madrid with the gold obtained with his selection in the Olympic Games under his arm.

An international role that has been important for his recruitment by Atlético. Cunha is not a born center forward, he stands out for his ability to drive, play between the lines and finish from the second row, although with his team he has shown his qualities by acting as a benchmark in attack and he has scored 15 goals in 16 games for the U23. In the Olympic Games he scored three goals in five games, one of them in the final against Spain and that tournament chose Atlético to get their services. A service sheet very different from that of his clubs, where he is in a position closer to the midfielder and in which he added eight goals and eight assists last season at Hertha.

If the option of Griezmann's return was the favorite for Simeone, Barcelona's financial figures and his high salary made the operation very complicated. Later, Andrea Berta focused on Dusan Vlahovic, a whole '9' who at 21 has great qualities for the future. But the enormous claims of Fiorentina made his transfer unfeasible. In that period, the trump card of Rafa Mir was also lost, Tired of waiting in the bedroom, he ended up signing for Sevilla. Cunha is another style of footballer, less area and with greater combinative qualities, characteristics more similar to those of Correa, João Félix or Carrasco.

Correa himself has established himself as the one in charge of occupying the attacking point when Suárez is not there and, so far, the result cannot be better. He has 8 goals in his last 11 shots on goal and is currently the top scorer in LaLiga with three goals in two games, tied with Vinicius and Lamela. And now he relies on that growth of Cunha to also get closer to the rival goal. With his 1.84 height he plays well on his back and has the resources to hold the ball and allow the team to go out.

The new striker He will occupy the third extra-community place that the club has available, since the other two are owned by his compatriots Felipe and Lodi. This causes the mandatory exit of Nehuén, on loan to Udinese, and Arias, who for the moment continues to train in Madrid. Cunha could make his athletic debut next Sunday against Villarreal. You are in good physical shape, Although he did not play last Saturday against Wolfsburg while the two clubs negotiated his transfer. Later he will join the call-up of the senior team, which has summoned him for the next three qualifying commitments for the World Cup. A FIFA break that will fully affect Atlético, since De Paul, Correa, Giménez, Suárez and Cunha have their last game with the national team less than 40 hours after Atlético visit Espanyol.