Arsenal could hijack a Man United deal for one of their "special" transfer targets, according to reports, as his representatives schedule talks with the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta looks ahead to summer after trophyless Arsenal season
With the 2024/2025 season yielding little in the way of honours, after Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals by PSG earlier this week, manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta will now be looking ahead to the summer window.
Ruben-Amorim-1 Related
Arsenal hold talks to sign £21m star who prefers Gunners over Man United
Mikel Arteta's side are more appealing than Old Trafford.
It is set to open in a matter of weeks, specifically from June 1 to June 10, before reopening again from June 16 to September 1.
Arsenal's final Premier League games Date
Liverpool (away) May 11th
Newcastle United (home) May 18th
Southampton (away) May 25th
Luckily for Arteta, much of the groundwork has already been laid in regard to some key transfer targets, with Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi reliably expected to be joining Arsenal (BBC).
Alongside Zubimendi, some media outlets are reporting that Arsenal are making very significant progress on a deal for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, with all parties aligned on the contract package he'd get in north London (Football Transfers).
viktor gyokeres
Unfortunately for the Gunners, news emerged that Wolves star Matheus Cunha, who was widely believed to be a target as well, appears more likely to make the move to Old Trafford instead.
The Brazilian, who has a £62.5 million release clause in his contract, boasts 17 goals and six assists from 33 appearances, and he can also play in a variety of attacking positions.
However, while United are the standout favourites for his signature, Arsenal haven't entirely lost hope yet.
Matheus Cunha schedules talks over joining Arsenal
That is according to talkSPORT and their reporter, Alex Crook, who claim that Cunha's representatives have scheduled talks over joining Arsenal, with Newcastle United also keen, as the former Atlético Madrid star keeps his options open.
New sporting director Andrea Berta actually signed Cunha for Atlético during his time at the La Liga club, so perhaps the Italian could still have a say here.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha celebrates scoring their first goal
TalkSPORT adds that United are fearful of a potential late hijack, so the Red Devils intend to move quickly as the summer window opens soon.
"He is a special player. He can do things that can make the difference in small details," said Wolves boss Vitor Pereira about Cunha, summarising why clubs are so keen on the 25-year-old.
"We try his corner because we want the swing inside to explore this. But you can work a lot and in the end nothing happens. With this kind of player, this can happen. I think it is not about work, it is about quality, his individual quality.
"Matheus Cunha is a player, in my opinion, who can reach high standards in this league. I hope not [elsewhere] because we need him."