Leeds United left bewildered as Wolves set to confirm transfer for Matheus Cunha

Leeds United are "bewildered" at the astronomical transfer fee that Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to pay for striker Matheus Cunha this month, according to Leeds Live.

The Whites were involved in the lengthy transfer saga surrounding the Athletico Madrid forward, with Jesse Marsch desperate for attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window.

But Wolves recently revealed they were splashing the cash on the 23-year-old, signing him for a fee of £40million, which could rise even further depending on his future successes. [The Mirror]

And as reported by Leeds Live journalist Beren Cross, Victor Orta was forced to back out of a move for the Brazilian as his pricetag continued to rise out of Leeds' budget.

He wrote: "Matheus Cunha was one such forward on Orta’s shortlist, but the bewildering price on his transfer out of Atletico Madrid made zero sense to the Whites. The Brazilian moved to Spain from Hertha BSC for €25m in August 2021 before scoring six league goals in 29 appearances.

"Cunha would fail to score in another 11 outings this term but saw his transfer fee double to €50m when Wolverhampton Wanderers agreed to cough up this month. It was not a bidding war Leeds saw any sense in."

Lucky escape

Leeds have got away with one here, as Cunha never looked like the profile of forward that Marsch wants to bolster his attack with during the winter window.

The Brazilian isn't a natural number nine and is extremely similar in playing style to the likes of Rodrigo and Crysencio Summerville. He usually prefers to operate in the wider channels and be a creator on the wing instead of a finisher.

Although he may yet be a terrific prospect, he isn't the out-and-out centre forward that Orta is so desperately searching for in January.

Marsch will be hoping to snap up a proven striker who is a clinical finisher in the penalty box, and considering Cunha has failed to score so far this season, the two parties were never right for each other.

The eyewatering £40million+ pricetag that Wolves are paying is ridiculous considering the 23-year-old's iffy scoring record in La Liga.

In other Leeds United news, this Elland Road veteran is now unsure whether he wants to end his time at LS11 despite a deal being close across the pond.