'My understanding': Arsenal now told the 'crazy' fee they'll have to pay to sign Matheus Cunha – journalist
Today at 06:15 AM
We're heading into the final week of the January transfer window and Arsenal are yet to make a move this month.
Arsenal need to bolster their attack, that much is clear to almost everyone.
Gabriel Jesus is injured, and Arsenal have been urged by almost everyone to sign a new attacker.
Ian Wright wanted Omar Marmoush signed, Emmanuel Petit wanted Arsenal to go for Victor Osimhen, while Paul Merson has told Arsenal to sign Alexander Isak on countless occasions.
Wolves' Matheus Cunha has been linked to Arsenal recently, and according to Ben Jacobs, speaking on Inside Gooners, this deal would be very expensive.
- READ MORE: Paul Merson says Liverpool might do something that actually helps Arsenal win the Champions League
How much Matheus Cunha would cost
According to Jacobs, Wolves are now looking to receive £80m for Cunha if they are to sell in this January transfer window.
The journalist says that Cunha could push to try and make a move happen, but, even then, Wolves may stick to their guns.
"Yeah, I think Wolves’ position is very clear that they don’t want to sell. But the door is ajar for a crazy offer. We’ve heard some reports out there that say the number might be 55 or 60 million,” Jacobs said.
"My understanding is it will take 80 million in January for Wolves to consider an offer, although that is including add-ons as well. And the Cunha position is quite complicated because he’s verbally agreed terms on a long-term contract at Wolves as far as the salary and the length is concerned, likely, I’m told, five years. But there is this sticking point over either one release clause or two, a lower number should Wolves go down and a higher number if they stay up.
"And at the moment, because Wolves haven’t seeded on those release clause numbers, Cunha is not going to sign. We know Victor Pereira has questioned his attitude. And Cunha could agitate for a move, but it reminds me, taking another Arsenal example of Moises Caicedo in the January window where Arsenal were the front runners, they bid, Caicedo issued a public statement, the move didn’t come off."
"And even if the player pushes, we might see a similar situation where Wolves stick to their not for sale position. But it is one to watch between now and the end of the window, just because as long as Cunha doesn’t sign that new long-term deal, Arsenal still might be tempted to put an offer in."
Ben Jacobs shares Benjamin Sesko update
It wasn't just Cunha who was discussed during this podcast as an Arsenal target.
Indeed, Jacobs also spoke about Benjamin Sesko as a potential target for Arsenal, claiming that a deal isn't impossible this month.
"It’s just the fact that these targets are difficult to get in a seller’s market. So with Benjamin Sesko, some contact has been made with Leipzig to understand whether anything is possible. There’s no release clause in his new contract, and the player is very keen on his own development as well to make sure that he doesn’t rush and move,' Jacobs said.
"And even though Leipzig are out of the Champions League, they’re pushing in the Cup and also to qualify again for the Champions League next season. And this is why at the moment Leipzig’s position is very firm.
"So we have to wait and see whether Arsenal try their luck with an offer. It’s not impossible, but it’s difficult. And they’ll obviously want to protect that relationship that they have with Leipzig. If they’re to revisit this in the summer."
Arsenal thought they were getting Sesko in the summer, and now the Gunners could be looking to reignite a January move.
Whether or not Arsenal can get either Sesko or Cunha through the door over the next week or so remains to be seen, but this could be a big week for the Gunners.
Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
1 | LiverpoolLiverpool | 21 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 50 | 20 | 30 | 50 |
2 | ArsenalArsenal | 22 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 43 | 21 | 22 | 44 |
3 | Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 33 | 22 | 11 | 44 |
Arsenal have some ground to make up in the title race, and this small window between now and deadline day could ultimately decide whether or not the Gunners can go on and challenge Liverpool to win the Premier League title.