Nottingham Forest 'eye' move for £80m-rated Arsenal transfer 'target' amid stalled contract talks
Arsenal have identified the Premier League attacker as a transfer target this January and are monitoring his situation.
Arsenal’s search for a new striker continues, as they are yet to make a move for an attacker in the January transfer window.
The Gunners drew 2-2 against Aston Villa in their last Premier League match, despite going 2-0 up in the game after 55 minutes. However, goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins helped Villa to equalise, and the Emirates faithful were left frustrated.
Mikel Arteta’s side are now six points off league leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand. They will be desperate to strengthen their squad ahead of transfer deadline day, in order to mount a late Premier League title charge against Arne Slot’s Reds.
Forest interested in £80m Arsenal transfer target
Wolves striker Matheus Cunha has been subject to reported interest by several Premier League clubs, as his contract negotiations at Molineux have stalled as the Midlands-based club look to tie him down to a new deal. His current contract expires in June 2027.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with signing Cunha this month, as they look to find a replacement for the injured Gabriel Jesus, who is set to miss the remainder of the season with an ACL injury. They are monitoring his contract situation at Wolves, but now face competition from unexpected title rivals Nottingham Forest, who, according to the Daily Mail, are considering a move for the Brazilian striker, as they look to cement their place in the Champions League spots.
Forest currently sit third in the Premier League, on the same points tally as Arsenal, and remain the only side in the league to have beaten Liverpool this season, which they did 1-0 in mid-September. They already saw a £22m bid for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa rejected this month, and are said to have turned their attention to Cunha. A report by Journalist Ben Jacobs on X, said that Wolves have placed an £80m price tag on him - a hefty fee for a side like Forest.
However if they are to promise European football, they might be able to tempt the 25-year-old to the City Ground. Cunha has been one of the most exciting forwards in the Premier League this season, scoring 10 goals and contributing four assists in 21 matches for Wolves, who are fighting relegation under manager Vito Pereira.
Arsenal identify cheaper Cunha alternative
Amid the reports that Forest are targeting Cunha, Arsenal have reportedly identified an alternative to the Wolves attacker, as they have been linked to Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram, and are said to be ready to place a bid on the 27-year-old.
Thuram has scored 13 goals in 21 Serie A appearances for Inter this season and could cost between £46m and £51m, a cheaper fee to what Wolves are demanding for Cunha this month.
The Frenchman can play both up front and as a left-winger, something that could be useful for Arteta, due to the long-term injuries to both Jesus and Bukayo Saka, who is set to be out until late March at the earliest.