Arsenal may opt against attempting to lure Matheus Cunha to the Emirates Stadium during the summer transfer window as some influential figures behind the scenes are not convinced that the Wolverhampton Wanderers star is the right fit for their squad, soccerhuz.com sources have revealed.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is already working closely with Andrea Berta, who was installed as the north Londoners’ new sporting director a matter of days ago after being identified as the outstanding candidate to replace Edu, to identify potential acquisitions ahead of another Premier League title challenge next season.
Declan Rice has remained Arsenal’s most expensive signing since completing a £105million switch from West Ham United in July 2023, but the capital club are looking to splash the cash on reinforcements and Cunha has been among the names to have been considered by key decision-makers.
Arsenal are divided over making a summer move to land Cunha, according to GMS sources, and that could result in members of the recruitment department turning their attentions towards alternative targets instead of testing the resolve of domestic counterparts Wolves in the coming months.
Although the forward penned a new four-and-a-half-year contract worth £90,000-per-week in February, the deal includes a £62.5million release clause that the Gunners and other interested parties will have the opportunity to trigger when the transfer window reopens for business.
But GMS sources have been informed that Berta wants to acquire a more traditional striker as well as a left-sided attacker who has a strong defensive work ethic and, having studied Cunha’s performances in a Wolves shirt, there are doubts over whether he fits the bill as they continue seeking upgrades.
The 13-cap Brazil international has hinted that he is prepared to embark on a fresh challenge if the opportunity arises after publicly confirming that he wants to take his career to another level by regularly competing for silverware, increasing the possibility of him heading through the Molineux exit door.
Arsenal are admirers of Cunha’s versatility as he is capable of making an impact centrally or on the flank, but GMS sources have learned that there are no guarantees that the north Londoners will up the ante in their pursuit by lodging a formal offer as preparations are made for the 2025/26 campaign.
GMS sources have been told that Arsenal are planning to continue keeping tabs on Cunha as they want to see whether there are signs of him being able to diversify his game and improve his involvement out of possession before they make a final decision on whether to offer a route out of Wolves.
The Gunners are unable to run the rule over the 25-year-old when his current employers face Ipswich Town this weekend as, despite being described as ‘sensational’ by pundit Micah Richards, he is currently serving a four-match suspension thanks to being sent off for violent conduct against Bournemouth last month.
Arsenal chiefs disagree over whether Cunha is the perfect option to come into their attack as they look to end their wait to clinch the Premier League title, GMS sources understand, and his displays in the final weeks of the campaign will be taken into consideration as Berta and Arteta finalise their transfer plans.
The former Atletico Madrid man is not the only big-name on the Gunners’ list of potential additions as GMS sources recently revealed that the north Londoners are set to open discussions over a move for Viktor Gyokeres after the Sporting striker has become a leading target ahead of the summer.
