When reports broke earlier this week that Atletico Madrid were 'desperate' to offload striker Matheus Cunha due to his wages, many Premier League teams immediately set their sights on the 23-year-old as their top January transfer window target,
One of those sides being Leeds United, who have had calls from ex-players and fans alike to replace forward Patrick Bamford who seems to be having terrible luck with injuries in recent seasons.
Having undergone groin surgery arlier this month, many have looked toward Matheus Cunha being a new option for the Whites to pair with already-firing Rodrigo up front.
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However, those plans might come crashing down. While Atletico have offered Cunha's services to numerous clubs in the form of a loan deal, including Jesse Marsch and Co, another club Cunha was offered to was Chelsea - a club now in almost certain need of a new frontman.
But where is Cunha more likely to end up at? Well, here's who else is leading the race for the striker's signature in January...
Chelsea interest piques after Broja loss
Despite signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the summer transfer window from Barcelona, as well as Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, it'd been clear before the winter break that both Graham Potter and former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel hadn't managed to get the goals flying in as those at Stamford Bridge had been expecting.
But after Armando Broja's serious knee injury in a friendly against Aston Villa last week that'll see him on the sidelines for the rest of the season, a serious blow to Marsch's transfer plans could be about to make itself known. According to the Evening Standard, Cunha as well as Portuguese international Joao Felix have been offered to Chelsea by Atletico but it's unlikely the Blues would take both players on.
With rumours swirling around wingers Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech both looking to leave the club as well, Broja's injury certainly won't put Potter's mind at ease as to how little depth the Blues now have up top and snapping up Cunha, even on a short-term loan deal, in January under the nose of Leeds could be a good move.
Wolves 'waiting to finalise' move
Of course, Chelsea are not the only side other than Leeds involved with Cunha. The new Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui has publicly declared his interest in Cunha, and according to Spanish outlet AS (via Sport Witness), Cunha is 'waiting to finalise' his move to Molineux next month.
Having scored just eight goals so far this season, Wolves are seemingly as desperate for Cunha as Atletico are to get rid of him which is why they're seen by many to be in 'pole position' to secure the deal first.
AS' report continues, going on to say that Atletico believes the transfer won't be 'delayed for too long' and the Brazilian will arrive at Molineux in the near future.
Everton eager for Cunha loan deal
The blue side of Merseyside are also eager to bring in extra attacking reinforcements as Frank Lampard's side look to pull clear of the relegation zone.
Everton are just a point above Nottingham Forest, who sit in 18th, and have only netted 11 times this season. Losing Cunha to a rival in the relegation battle like Leeds or Wolves could be a huge loss for them.
It's believed a loan deal would be the club's preferred option as they're unlikely to front up a permanent bid against the bigger clubs in the Premier League who are interested like Newcastle United, Manchester United or rivals Liverpool.
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