Arsenal have been boosted in their pursuit of Matheus Cunha as his new Wolverhampton Wanderers contract reportedly contains a release clause.
The Gunners are six points behind first-placed Liverpool in the Premier League and failed to reinforce their offensive ranks in the January transfer window.
Kai Havertz's performances have come in for criticism this campaign, with some fans frustrated by the forward's inconsistency in front of goal.
Mikel Arteta's side have been linked to a host of attackers, including Wolves attacker Cunha, but he will stay at Molineux to help his side win their battle to stay in the top flight.
However, though Cunha signed a four-and-a-half year deal with Wolves on February 1 and committed his immediate future to the club, the Daily Mail claim that Arsenal will be able to purchase him for £62m in the summer as he has a release clause in his contract.
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Will Cunha help push Arsenal over the line in 2025-26?
Cunha has proven to be a lethal finisher in the Premier League this season, scoring 11 goals from just 5.2 xG, and he has also managed to register four assists.
The Brazilian also outperformed his expected goals metric last term, with the 25-year-old finding the back of the net 12 times in the league from just 9.5 xG.
Havertz is roughly in line with his xG this campaign having scored nine goals from 9.4 xG in the top flight, but the striker has missed chances in high-profile matches against the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City.
Though Cunha is arguably more suited to playing as an attacking midfielder, his calmness in front of goal could help the Gunners win more closely fought contests and potentially push Arsenal towards their first piece of silverware since the 2020 FA Cup.
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Have Arsenal missed out on trophies this season?
Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli suffered a hamstring injury against Newcastle United during their EFL Cup semi-final defeat on February 5, and he is set to miss out on action for more than a month.
The attacker joined Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines, with the latter having been ruled out for the rest of the season.
It is difficult to see Arsenal closing the gap to Liverpool with just three senior forwards, and though youngster Ethan Nwaneri has shown great promise, the forward is just 17 years old, and it may be asking too much from the teenager to lead the Gunners' forward line.
There is no guarantee that Cunha would have led Arteta's side to silverware this season given the injuries to other forwards, but he would have at least provided the Spaniard with greater variety in attack had he been signed in January.
Lewis Nolan
