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“Leeds’ £44m Striker Target in January 2023 Could Now Be Heading to Tottenham – Find Out Why!
In January 2023, Leeds United had the opportunity to improve a challenging first half of the season under Jesse Marsch by signing a new striker. The club opted to spend big on Georginio Rutter. While Rutter eventually became a fan favorite during the 2023-24 season, which led to his £40m transfer to Brighton, his time in the Premier League was difficult, with just one start for Leeds.
Although Rutter showed promise, Leeds needed an experienced striker who could be relied upon to score between five and ten Premier League goals in the second half of the 2022-23 campaign. Instead, they spent £35m on Rutter, who managed just a single start. This left Leeds to rely on the injury-prone Patrick Bamford and wait for Rodrigo’s return, and ultimately, Leeds were relegated.
Before Rutter’s arrival, Leeds had shown significant interest in Matheus Cunha, a target they had pursued prior to the signing of Rutter. Leeds had been keen on the former Atletico Madrid forward under Marcelo Bielsa. However, Cunha joined Wolves on loan in January 2023, with a £44m obligation to buy. After a slow start at Wolves, Cunha quickly found his form, contributing to 19 Premier League goals last season.
This season, Cunha has scored eight goals and registered three assists in 16 league appearances, despite Wolves sitting in the relegation zone and parting ways with manager Gary O’Neil. His strong performances and Wolves’ precarious position have raised questions about his future at the club.
According to a report from Give Me Sport, Tottenham could make a move for Cunha, two years after Leeds’ interest. It remains unclear how much Tottenham would need to pay to secure his signature in January.
While it’s impossible to say whether Cunha would have kept Leeds in the Premier League, his early struggles at Wolves suggested that he required time to adjust. However, his recent form—30 goal involvements in 48 Premier League appearances—has been remarkable. Given that Wolves purchased him for £44m, Tottenham will likely need to pay significantly more if they wish to sign him in January.
