Leeds United intensify their quest for Hertha Berlin’s starlet Matheus Cunha as Marcelo Bielsa strives to strengthen his forward line ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Whites recruited impressively ahead of their first campaign back at the top of English football and signed Brazilian winger Raphinha and Spanish striker Rodrigo last summer.
But coach Bielsa is not happy with his current options and is pushing for the club to re-enter the transfer market. According to UOL, the Brazilian outlet has led the Argentine to the Hertha wing Cunha – and Leeds are prepared to support their manager and make a move.
Hertha is expected to demand between 25 and 30 million euros for the 22-year-old, who was still able to impress last season despite having played in a huge underperforming Bundesliga side. They finished the campaign in 14th place after flirting with relegation to the second tier of German football.
Cunha started the season bright and scored six of his seven league goals during the first eight weeks of the campaign. But his sense of purpose faded as the season continued, and instead it was his ability to set goals that was at the center – he got six assists in 2020/21.
Leeds are determined to sign Hertha star Cunha / Boris Streubel / Getty Images
His achievements have not gone unnoticed, despite Hertha’s overall struggle, as Cunha has been selected to represent Brazil at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo this summer. There he hopes to replicate some of the form he first showed when he left RB Leipzig in January 2020 in a deal worth 18 million euros – five goals in his first 11 appearances that certify a quick start in the German capital.
For Bielsa, his quest for Cunha is a strong indication that he is keen to add creative depth to a side that was superb in his maiden season back in the Premier League. But even the most ardent Leeds fan will admit that the squad requires new legs, given the relentless style of play required by their 65-year-old boss.
Leeds were determined to catch Raphinha last season and were rewarded for their patience, something they may hope to happen again this time with Cunha.
