The truth about Matheus Cunha’s Wolves future as Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea circle, Tim Steidten’s West Ham future in peril and the latest transfer news on Benjamin Sesko and Ademola Lookman: THE SAMI MOKBEL COLUMN

Much was made of Matheus Cunha’s body language following Monday’s defeat to Chelsea.

But ask yourself this: how are you supposed to react after losing 3-1? Smiling, skipping, full of the joys of spring? If Cunha cut a disconsolate figure and let everyone know it, then that will only be borne out of sheer disappointment.

Because that’s Cunha in a nutshell: a winner. It pains him that his team are battling relegation. It pained him that they lost at Stamford Bridge. He wore his heart on his sleeve. There’s little wrong with that.

To that end there was a degree of surprise on Monday night when his own manager Vitor Pereira appeared to question his player’s demeanour.

‘I don’t like this body language,’ said Pereira – who has been in post at Molineux all of a month. ‘I want someone, as a captain, trying to help the team – running, suffering and fighting all together. But this is something I can understand. Next time, I won’t understand.’

Cunha’s response to social media criticism and accusations he headed straight for the tunnel after the final whistle were telling. ‘Liar,’ he posted on his X account as he reacted to online assertions about his attitude.

Much was made of Matheus Cunha’s body language following Monday’s defeat to Chelsea

Cunha cut a disconsolate figure after Wolves suffered their third league loss on the trot

It pains Cunha that his team are battling relegation and he wears his heart on his sleeve

With that in mind, you can take an informed guess at how Cunha may feel about Pereira’s post-match remarks.

In deciphering the comments and how they may impact Pereira’s relationship with Cunha moving forward, it’s important to acknowledge the Wolves manager was asked a direct question about his player’s body language. Crucially, he didn’t provide the comments unprompted.

Nevertheless, given Pereira has only been in the job for just over a month, his answer was rather a risky one. Most managers, in my experience, shut down any hint of criticism of their players in public; though things can be rather different in private.

But generally, what happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room. Keeping players onside, in modern football, is a critical part of football management.

Disgruntled individuals can very quickly snowball into a disgruntled squad. There’s a fine balance between maintaining authority and alienating your players.

And while speaking with such honesty, as Pereira did on Monday night, is entirely a manager’s prerogative, it can also be a very dangerous game – especially when your star player is in the line of fire.

Cunha arrived at Molineux from Atletico Madrid in January 2023 in deal worth up to £35million.

He has scored 26 goals and supplied 13 assists in that period, his performances are attracting admiring glances from the Premier League’s elite. More of that later.

Cunha arrived at Molineux from Atletico Madrid in January 2023 in deal worth up to £35million

He joined on a promise Wolves would build a team capable of competing in the top half

He joined on a promise that the club would build a team capable of competing towards the upper end of the Premier League.

Cunha was excited by the project ahead. Two years on, Wolves continue to languish towards the lower reaches of the Premier League having sold the likes of Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes, Max Kilman and Pedro Neto.

Cunha has continued to give his utmost and his impact is undeniable. Without him, you wonder where Wolves would be this season. But, bluntly put, this isn’t what Cunha believed he was signing up to.

So if Cunha does feel agitated by Pereira’s comments then can we really blame him?

Not that he intends to let the situation fester. Cunha’s got a job to do, starting against Arsenal on Saturday. Indeed, there is an inescapable irony that comes with the Gunners’ visit to Molineux this weekend for Cunha.

There is a degree of interest from Arsenal, though whether they choose to move remains to be seen. A goal or two from Cunha this weekend and who knows? They have been hurt by their transfer targets already this season, with Alexander Isak scoring in both of Newcastle’s wins over the Gunners.

It is obvious that a transfer to Arsenal would interest a player like Cunha. Mikel Arteta has put together one of the most exciting projects in European football and most players would find such an opportunity hard to turn down.

However, Arsenal aren’t the only club hovering ahead of the winter deadline; Tottenham, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United all have varying degrees of interest in the 25-year-old.

It was surprising to see that Vitor Pereira appeared to question his own player’s demeanour

‘I don’t like this body language,’ said Pereira who has been in post at Molineux a month. ‘I want someone, as a captain, trying to help the team – running, suffering and fighting all together’

Wolves have opened talks with Cunha over extending his contract, and there has been optimism from the club that their efforts would end in success. It is said that talks over a new deal were motivated by the club’s wish to reward the player for his contribution and has no bearing on his future.

It is understood a broad agreement over new terms at Molineux isn’t a million miles away. Equally, however, there appears to be no indications yet that Cunha will sign a new deal until the transfer window has closed so not to shut the door on a January exit.

However Wolves insist Cunha is not for sale and are yet to receive any formal offers for the player. Cunha’s contract still has two and a half years left to run and Wolves feel they are in a strong position to hold on to their Brazilian – but it remains to be seen if an offer of £60million upwards tempts the club into reassessing their stance.

There is also the issue of signing a replacement for Cunha who can hit the ground running in the Premier League, given the real threat of relegation. Wolves are hovering above the drop zone only on goal difference, level on points with 18th-placed Ipswich, and face a daunting run of fixtures.

After Arsenal they face in-form Aston Villa and leaders Liverpool, before tricky games against two of the surprise stories of the season, Bournemouth and Fulham. There’s also an FA Cup fourth round trip to Blackburn next month to navigate too.

Cunha offers Wolves a cast-iron guarantee of goals and assists, and is one of the Premier League’s best finishers. Finding a replacement is a perilous, arduous and expensive task – particularly this late in the window.

Yet Cunha’s clear importance to Wolves’ casts further curiosity over Pereira’s assertions over the player’s body language.

For Wolves’ sake, you hope Pereira has played it right.

For Wolves’ sake, you hope their manager, Pereira (pictured above) has played it right

City ground could host England clash

England are in talks over a playing a friendly against Senegal at the City Ground this summer, Mail Sport understands.

The national team will face Andorra on June 7 but have a free date for a non-competitive fixture.

And it is understood the wheels are in motion towards Thomas Tuchel’s side playing against the African nation at the home of Nottingham Forest.

If the fixture is confirmed, a number of Premier League stars would likely turn out for the Senegalese.

Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Pape Matar Sarr and Idrissa Gana Gueye are among those who could feature against England, while former Liverpool star Sadio Mane is also a key player for the Senegalese, who are captained by ex-Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

England are in talks over a playing a friendly against Senegal at the City Ground this summer

West Ham transfer chief’s future in doubt

Tim Steidten’s position at West Ham is under major doubt amid a growing sense that sporting director will leave the club.

Kyle Macaulay, a long term associate of recently appointed head coach Graham Potter, has joined the club from Chelsea, where he held the role of recruitment analyst.

Macaulay, who will start work this week, is expected to have a wider role within the Hammers’ recruitment team.

The news comes at a time when Steidten’s position with the Hammers is under major uncertainty. And well-placed sources are indicating that the German transfer guru is likely to leave the club in the future.

There has been discontent with some of the signings West Ham have made since Steidten’s appointment in July 2023.

Tim Steidten’s position as West Ham’s technical director is becoming increasingly uncertain

Southampton starlet open to move abroad

Southampton starlet Tyler Dibling is not ruling out a move abroad as the race to land the youngster hots up.

Tottenham and Manchester United are among the Premier League clubs chasing the 18-year-old, who is viewed as one of the best young talents in European football.

However, clubs on the continent including Red Bull Leipzig are also tracking the teenager with a view to a summer move should Southampton, as expected, suffer relegation.

And well-placed sources are indicating that foreign clubs have been offered encouragement that Dibling is open to leaving England when he eventually leaves St Mary’s.

Southampton sit rock bottom with just six points from 22 matches, on track to ‘beat’ Derby’s record for the fewest points in a Premier League season (11). Tricky, left-footed right winger Dibling has been one of the few bright sparks for the Saints.

Leaving the UK is a path increasing numbers of young homegrown players are taking in their career paths. Germany, in particular, has proved a successful location for British footballers to start their careers.

Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho and Jamie Gittens have all had successful spells with Borussia Dortmund, while Michael Olise, 23, joined Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace last summer.

Conor Gallagher and Angel Gomes, who were both named in the latest England squad, play in Spain and France, respectively.

Noni Madueke, also named in the previous squad, spent four years playing with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, while captain Harry Kane and Bellingham also currently play abroad.

Tyler Dibling is not ruling out a move abroad as the race to land the young winger hots up

Sesko Gunners move unlikely, for now

Arsenal retain an interest in Red Bull Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko but a deal to sign the Slovenia striker is increasingly unlikely this month.

The Gunners are in the market for a new forward and Sesko is among their preferred options. But Red Bull are adamant the 21-year-old hotshot is not for sale and the Gunners are being respectful of the Bundesliga club’s stance this month.

Mail Sport understands there are currently no formal club-to-club talks discussions over Sesko and it now remains to be seen whether that changes in the final 11 days of the window.

Kai Havertz’s goalscoring form this season means finding a guaranteed upgrade on the Germany international in January is easier said than done.

Havertz has scored 14 goals in all competitions so far this season and his impressive strike rate poses difficulties in identifying players who can improve the team at centre forward.

The return to fitness of Ethan Nwaneri may also impact the club’s intentions to strengthen in forward areas this month. The highly rated youngster missed nearly four weeks through injury but returned to action off the bench in the 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night.

Arsenal remain open to adding to the squad this month but would prefer any permanent deal to be one of their long-term targets.

A loan from an overseas league could be an option for them in the closing stages of the window.

Meanwhile, defender Ben White is closing in on a return to availability following knee surgery in November. The versatile full back is now back training on the grass at the club’s London Colney training centre and is close to making his long-awaited return.

Arsenal retain an interest in Benjamin Sesko but a deal to sign him this month is unlikely

Juventus eye-up Lookman

Ademola Lookman is attracting interest from Juventus ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Atalanta winger, formerly of Charlton, Everton, Fulham and Leicester, is a key player for Gian Piero Gasperini’s team and the Italian club won’t consider selling him this month.

But Lookman’s future is set to become a live issue this summer with Juve understood to be serious contenders for the attacker.

It is understood Atalanta would look to recoup at least £50million for the Nigeria international, who is reigning African Footballer of the Year.

A number of top-half Premier League teams are also monitoring the 27-year-old.

Ademola Lookman is attracting interest from Juventus ahead of the summer transfer window

Agent exams to be taken from home

FIFA will allow candidates taking the next set of agent exams to complete the test from home, Mail Sport can reveal.

World football’s governing body introduced the exam in 2022 with a view to have more stringent regulation over who can act as registered intermediaries in the game.

So far pupils have had to go to a specific venue to take the open book test.

But FIFA, moving forward, are offering the test online and candidates are no longer required to complete the exam from a certain location.

The next set of FIFA exams are scheduled for June 18.