Leeds United are reportedly preparing a big transfer battle with Premier League rivals…
What’s the latest?
That’s according to David Ornstein, who claims that the Whites could swoop in should Wolverhampton Wanderers not meet the financial demands of Atletico Madrid over Matheus Cunha.
It is noted that there was an attempt to sign him before he left Hertha Berlin in 2021, and having managed him in the past, Jesse Marsch could play a big factor in this deal.
With the Brazilian’s game time having dwindled in the Spanish capital, he is expected to leave. Victor Orta will know the importance of pouncing on players before they surpass his budget, but will likely already have to battle with Everton and Aston Villa.
Their own Gabriel Jesus
Having enjoyed a blistering start to life at Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus’ recent form before the World Cup had somewhat diminished.
With nine goal contributions in his first nine Premier League games for the Gunners, he would not score in his last six before the break.
That’s not to say he hasn’t contributed massively to their imperious form, which sees them sat atop the Premier League table at Christmas.
It is clear that the 25-year-old offers far more than just goals, with his work rate and intelligent pressing making him the perfect spearhead for Mikel Arteta’s team.
His defensive statistics make for impressive reading, where he ranks in the top 7% for tackles and 3% for interceptions among strikers in Europe’s top five leagues.
The same could be said of Cunha, who made his €26m (£22m) move to Madrid in the summer of 2021.
This season has been disappointing, with him yet to score, but the 23-year-old still also remains in the top 5% for tackles and interceptions, and the top 1% for blocks.
Should he regain his form, there is a sensational all-around player to be had with the talents of a true “magician” – as his old club RB Leipzig dubbed him.
Last season saw him record seven goals and seven assists, and before his move, he had recorded a similar eight goals and seven assists in Germany too.
His former coach Bruno Labbadia was full of praise for the forward, claiming: “Matheus has something special. He can always produce something with a moment of individual brilliance.”
Clearly keeping him in the side breeds consistency in his creativity, which explains how he still remains in the top 2% for assists and 15% for shot-creating actions.
In fact, FBRef actually likens him to Jesus in their ‘similar players’ metric.
Should he have the same transformative effect that the former Manchester City man has had on his new team, at Elland Road, this could mark a brilliant signing to hopefully steer them to safety.