Leeds United's search for frontline reinforcements this January has taken them back to LaLiga.

Reports in Spain suggest that the Yorkshire giants are one of the teams looking to take advantage of Atletico Madrid's situation after they failed to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.

And as manager Jesse Marsch needs senior strikers, with Patrick Bamford back on the treatment table, Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha has emerged as a likely target.

It's thought that he would be available for around €30m (£26m) and according to transfer insider Dean Jones, chairman Andrea Radrizzani and co have money to throw at another attacker this winter.

"We know that they’re going to have some reasonably decent money to throw at an attacker, but I’ve seen this one being spoken about a fair bit," he told GIVEMESPORT, before delivering a verdict on Cunha: "He’s a good player, but I think the key here is that Marsch really has to make sure that he gets the profiles of his attackers right."

The versatile Atletico ace enjoyed a pretty solid campaign last term, delivering 14 goal contributions across all competitions but he has struggled so far this season, failing to find the net in 17 appearances, despite being deployed as a centre-forward.

This should set alarm bells ringing and director of football Victor Orta may want to think twice before going ahead with a move for Cunha.

There could be some similarities drawn to Leeds' signing of Rodrigo, who after seven goals and 11 assists, was signed in a then club-record deal for around £27m.

Just like the Brazilian, who was once dubbed an "unbelievable talent" by German YouTube sensation Maximilian Knabe, the Spanish frontman is capable of playing in behind the striker too and it took a while for the Whites to get their rewards.

Rodrigo has scored nine goals in 13 league games so far this term but his record up until now has been pretty dire, having found the net only 13 times across 63 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

Time is no luxury, particularly if you are costing around £26m. Marsch - and Leeds - cannot afford to wait for Cunha to get up to speed if they were to sign him in January as they need a goalscoring talisman now, not in two years' time.

As such, Orta must look to avoid this risk by turning his attention elsewhere after the World Cup.

AND in other news, Leeds plotting £13m swoop for “beautiful player” in Jan, he’s a huge Rodrigo upgrade...