Ornstein: Arsenal now weighing up move for ‘extraordinary’ £42m Star Unai Emery & Leeds target
Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a move to sign Atletico Madrid attacker Matheus Cunha as a replacement for Gabriel Jesus, with Aston Villa and Leeds United also interested in the Brazilian international.
According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, the north London side could enter the frame to sign the 23-year-old forward as Arsenal continue to scout for options that could replace Jesus, with the striker set for as long as three months out on the sideline due to a knee injury.
Jesus signed for Arsenal in the summer for a reported £50m, and the Brazilian has established himself as one of the Gunners’ most important players, guiding Mikel Arteta’s side to the top of the Premier League and firmly in pole position for a UEFA Champions League finish.
However, the attacker’s injury has seemingly led to Arsenal re-evaluating their transfer options in January, and Cunha could now be a target for the north London side, with the Atheltic stating that Villa, Everton and Leeds are also interested in the Atletico star, as well as Wolves.
With a reported valuation of £42m according to TalkSport, Cunha looks destined for the Premier League this winter given how much interest English clubs have in the attacker ahead of the January window, and for Arsenal, the former Hertha Berling star could be an intriguing option.
Lauded as ‘extraordinary’ by former Inter Milan star Paolo Tramezzani, the natural centre-forward can play in numerous attacking positions, something Arsenal will find very useful given the nature of their current options in the front line, and Atletico’s eagerness to sell could result in a bargain deal for the Gunners.
Arsenal have been very lucky with injuries this season up until Jesus’ massive blow over the 2022 FIFA World Cup, yet signing Cunha as a replacement could solve many attacking issues for the north London club that have worried some supporters this season.
As mentioned, Cunha can play in numerous attacking positions and provide sufficient cover for the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, and as well as competition for Eddie Nketiah, the Brazilian suddenly becomes a go-to answer for many of Arsenal’s forward problems beyond the starting XI.
