Leeds United's name has been frequently associated with that of Brazil and Atletico Madrid striker Matheus Cunha over recent days but they aren't the only Premier League club expected to chase the 23-year-old's signature next month.
According to the Athletic's David Ornstein, Wolves, Everton, Aston Villa and Arsenal are all admirers of Cunha going into the January transfer window as all 20 clubs look to add extra firepower to their squads mid-season in order to reach their respective goals.
But whose case for signing the 23-year-old is the strongest and who may need to look elsewhere if they are to recruit at the top end of the pitch?
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Leeds
Having agonisingly missed out on signing PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo in the summer, Leeds are in desperate need of adding some firepower at the top end of the pitch.
The form of promoted under-21 playmaker Crycensio Summerville has been a bonus, but the Whites need a reliable centre-forward in order to stay in the Premier League, with Patrick Bamford's services looking increasingly unreliable.
Admittedly, Jesse Marsch's side have scored 22 goals in the Premier League, the second highest tally in the bottom half of the table behind Leicester City's 25, however, almost half of those have been scored by Rodrigo who has nine for the season thus far.
Solely relying on the 31-year-old to provide enough goals alone to keep Leeds in the Premier League is an astronomical ask and the workload is going to have to be spread out more evenly, hence why signing a striker is a must.
Marsch does have the benefit of knowing Cunha having been assistant manager when the striker was at RB Leipzig and the Whites have tracked him since 2021, when he left Hertha Berlin for Atletico Madrid. It would certainly make sense for Leeds to make a move.
Wolves
Out of all five clubs, Wolves' current situation is undoubtedly the most precarious. Sat bottom of the league with just eight goals scored in 15 matches, it's been an incredibly bleak start to the campaign for the West Midlands outfit which eventually cost Bruno Lage his job.
The appointment of Julen Lopetegui is an exciting one on paper but the Premier League is unknown to the Spaniard and success isn't guaranteed despite having Real Madrid and Sevilla on his CV.
Not only have Wolves scored just eight league goals this term, but half of them have come from defensive midfielder Ruben Neves which further emphasises how poor it's been at Molineux.
Granted, Wolves were majorly unlucky to see summer recruit Sasa Kalajdzic suffer an ACL injury in his first appearance, leading to the signing of free agent Diego Costa who currently has more red cards than goal contributions.
Raul Jimenez, Hee-Chan Hwang, Adama Traore, Goncalo Guedes and Daniel Podence have thus far been incredibly unreliable, although they have been playing in a rather defensive system.
Like with Leeds, it makes perfect sense for Wolves to be sniffing around for a striker of Cunha's elk and new boss Lopetegui will certainly be familiar with the 23-year-old. However, no goals so far this season has to be a concern for a club that absolutely has to start scoring more goals if they are to hold onto their top flight credentials.
Everton
Just one point above the relegation zone after 15 matches, something needs to change for Everton as well and, with 11 goals scored in that period, it's clear to see what.
It could be argued that Frank Lampard's job is the most insecure in the Premier League as fixtures resume and the Englishman will need to start seeing more from his side after one win in eight across all competitions.
The fact that their top scorer is winger Anthony Gordon with three goals is a major worry. Summer signing Neal Maupay clearly needs more time to settle but frankly the Toffees don't have time to lose and recruiting a striker seems like an absolute must.
Aston Villa
Another side under new management in Unai Emery, Villa will be hoping to kick on once they return to action after a poor start to the campaign under Steven Gerrard.
Two wins from two in the Premier League is a great start for the former Arsenal boss who is certainly of the pedigree that Villa hoped Steven Gerrard would have when brought to Villa Park.
In Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, the Villans have decent options up front whilst the services of Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia could be vital if Emery can unlock the best out of the wide duo.
The Spaniard will undoubtedly want to bring some fresh faces of his own through the door, but the Birmingham club's argument for bringing Cunha to Villa Park isn't as strong as some of their Premier League counterparts.
Arsenal
Like with Villa, it's hard to see why exactly Arsenal would go for Cunha given the squad at their disposal and how well they've started the season.
Granted, the long-term injury to star striker Gabriel Jesus will be a major concern for the league leaders and an alternative option up front could certainly come through the door at the Emirates next month. However, why a side fighting for the Premier League title would go for a striker that hasn't scored all season is unknown.
With no disrespect to the 23-year-old, Mikel Arteta could undoubtedly lure higher calibre forwards to north London than the Brazilian should the Gunners look to recruit a striker. Moreover, once Jesus returns, Cunha's game time will automatically decrease.
Currently, it seems as though going to Leeds, Wolves or Everton would be the best option for the Atletico Madrid forward with the 23-year-old undoubtedly in need of some TLC which he would certainly get at a club in desperate need of a goalscorer, should he hit the ground running.
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