Leeds United continue to be linked to Matheus Cunha despite interest from other Premier League clubs…
What’s the latest?
That’s according to reports from the Athletic earlier this week, that confirm the Whites’ interest.
However, this offers a somewhat conflicting view when combined with the recent tweet made by Fabrizio Romano, which states: “Negotiations are ongoing but it’s not a closed deal.”
This does leave the door open for Victor Orta to potentially swoop in.
Pete O’Rourke would give his thoughts on the links, and what kind of player the Brazilian actually is. Speaking to Football FanCast, he issued the following claim:
“So he’s obviously a player with huge potential and obviously we’ve not seen the best of him at Atletico Madrid so whoever does possibly get him will be hoping to get the best out of him.”
Ditch James
Despite suffering from a lack of depth in his wide areas, Jesse Marsch still saw fit to ship Dan James out on loan in the summer.
It left him with only Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra and Crysencio Summerville, who has only really broken into the team of late.
This marks a damning statement of intent from the American, who clearly does not have faith in the £25m Welshman who Tom Dutty labelled a “pace merchant with poor final ball and awful decision making”.
Now, the potential deal to acquire Cunha would really seal his fate at Elland Road.
Rated at £26m by CIES Football Observatory, this season has been a tough one for the 23-year-old who is yet to score.
This promises to be an outlier though, as his debut campaign in Spain boasted seven goals and seven assists, continuing on from his 15 goal contributions from the season prior in Germany.
In three separate campaigns, Cunha has contributed to more goals than James has in his whole 40-game career at the Yorkshire club.
Although this current season might be somewhat underwhelming, it could provide a front to acquire him on the cheap and then realise the “huge potential” referenced by O’Rourke.
Despite their slight differences in the roles they play, his move to Leeds could spell the end of James’ career at the club.