Ornstein claims Arsenal are ‘weighing up’ January transfer for Wolves, Leeds and Everton target

Arsenal are considering a January bid for Atletico Madrid forward Matheus Cunha, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.

The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League heading into Christmas with Mikel Arteta’s side opening up a five-point gap to second-placed Manchester City before the World Cup break.

But they were struck with a injury blow during the tournament in Qatar, with the news that Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus had to undergo knee surgery.

The 25-year-old sustained the problem in Brazil’s defeat by Cameroon in their final World Cup group game and was not present for their last-16 win over South Korea.

Arsenal confirmed at the time that the striker had already had an operation and was starting his recovery but Mikel Arteta recently revealed the club have not yet put a timescale on his return.

When asked if he knew when Jesus might be fit to play for Arsenal again, Arteta replied: “No. We know that he needed some intervention in the knee. We’ll have to take it day by day, week by week, and see [where] it takes us.”

And the Spaniard also admitted that they could dip into the transfer market depending on the timescale of Jesus’ injury, he added: “What it affects is who we are as a team because he gives us so much.

“So what we can do after that, when we know the timescale [of his recovery] and when we can have him back, we will look at the options and try to make the right decision.”

And now Ornstein claims that another Brazilian, in the form of Cunha, is in their sights as they look for a potential January solution to their forward issues.

Ornstein says that Arsenal ‘are weighing up whether to enter the frame as manager Arteta considers how best to cope in the absence of Jesus’.

The Athletic journalist also addresses interest in Cunha from elsewhere with Wolves the ‘early favourites’ after they ‘started dialogue over a deal that would potentially have also seen Atletico defender Felipe head to Molineux’.

New Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is understood to be one of the main reasons Cunha is considering a move to the West Midlands but it is ‘now uncertain if Wolves will meet Atletico’s financial demands and that not only casts doubt on their pursuit but also gives encouragement to others competing for his signature’.

Everton are named as ‘long-term admirers’ of Cunha with fellow Premier League side Leeds United also showing ‘serious interest’ in the 23-year-old.

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