Leeds United remain in the hunt for Matheus Cunha, with one journalist's assessment of the transfer rumour being a positive one for Victor Orta…
What’s the latest?
Transfer expert Dean Jones has said that the Whites’ pursuit will hinge on the actions of Wolverhampton Wanderers, after his claim on Sunday which noted that Julen Lopetegui's side were in the “driving seat” for the 23-year-old.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT recently: “If Wolves can’t tie it up, then it will be one to look out for. I was sceptical of Leeds’ interest at first, but there are actually some interesting factors that could make this doable.”
Cunha joined Atletico Madrid from Hertha Berlin in a €25m (£22m) move in the summer of 2021.
A “doable” move
The final word in Jones' claim will be a refreshing one for Jesse Marsch, who must be keen to reunite with the player with whom he worked at RB Leipzig at a time when Leeds most require an added injection of magic in the final third.
Sitting just two points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, they can be commended for their free-scoring nature as they boast 22 goals from 14 games.
However, having conceded 26 times during that period, it is clear that unless they tighten up at the back, they will need to add even more goals if they want to avoid a relegation scrap akin to last season.
Whilst this season has been somewhat unkind to Cunha, who is without a goal in 17 (mostly substitute) appearances, he has shown on numerous occasions that he can offer a consistent attacking threat to score or create goals.
The 2021/22 campaign saw him register seven goals and seven assists, following up on his eight goals and seven assists in his final season in the Bundesliga.
These performances led his former FC Sion coach Paolo Tramezzani to dub him an “extraordinary boy” with “incredible acceleration”.
Whist ranking in the top 2% for assists will have the likes of Rodrigo salivating at Leeds, what could please Marsch most is the fact that the 23-year-old also ranks in the top 3% for tackles and the top 4% for interceptions among positional peers in Europe's top five leagues in 2022.
By adding this relentless wizard to his team, the Whites boss could end up benefitting at both ends of the pitch. Should the opportunity arise, it would mark a no-brainer to bring Cunha to Yorkshire in Leeds' latest bid for Premier League survival.