Phil Hay believes that Leeds United transfer target Matheus Cunha would have been a top signing for Jesse Marsch’s side.
Not too long ago Leeds were being linked with a January move for Cunha as he looked set for an exit from Atletico Madrid, only for Wolves a few days later to then swoop in and all but land the attacker who’s since undergone a medical.
This will have been a major blow for Leeds and Marsch as they are in a better league position than Wolves and their manager has previously worked with Cunha and will have known him well, so they may have thought they’d have a good chance of landing Cunha.
However, he looks set for Wolves, much to the disappointment of Hay, who spoke about the Premier League-bound attacker on The Phil Hay Show.
(14:00) “It didn’t feel to me like they were ever close to that one this time round but that lingering interest was still there and in the end, he’s gone to Wolves, it’s on loan initially with an obligation to buy in the summer, I presume if Wolves stay up given the price that’s being spoken about and also given Cunha’s status.
“The price that’s being quoted, €40-50 million I’m finding it difficult to get my head around, it seems somewhat overpriced should we say.
Will Leeds regret not signing Cunha?
Yes!
No!
“So, that to me would’ve been a good player to sign but I don’t think that would’ve been a good price.”
TIF Thoughts on Leeds missing out on Cunha…
Given that Leeds were indeed seemingly strongly interested in Cunha it will be a major blow to have missed out on yet another attacking target after their failure to land either Cody Gakpo or Bamba Dieng over the summer.
However, with reports suggesting that Wolves will indeed have to pay Atletico Madrid around £44 million in the summer for Cunha, it isn’t a surprise why Leeds didn’t take their interest much further.
This is because Cunha has not been in great form at any stage of his career out in Spain managing just 12 La Liga goal involvements since joining Atletico Madrid so that price tag appears to be very high for someone very inconsistent.
Although, he does have potential it just needs to be unlocked with football journalist and scout Antonio Mango claiming Wolves are getting an ‘exciting talent.’