Manchester United and Arsenal have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha, who is reported to be close to signing a new deal with his current club.
Though the Gunners and United are in drastically different positions in the league table - second and 14th respectively - both have had disappointing seasons so far.
Mikel Arteta might have thought that Arsenal would finally pip Manchester City to the title, but Liverpool look unstoppable, while United seem lost under the direction of Ruben Amorim.
Arteta and Amorim have both been criticised for failing to get the best out of their respective side's attack, but the January transfer window could offer the teams an opportunity to address any offensive weaknesses.
However, talkSPORT report that Wolves talisman Cunha will not be moving in January as he is set to sign a new deal with the club.
Why Amorim and Arteta want Cunha
Wolves are currently 17th in the table with just 16 points, but despite the team's struggles Cunha has managed to shine in the league, scoring 10 goals and producing four assists in 19 appearances this term.
The 25-year-old has been given lots of positional freedom to roam across the pitch, and he is comfortable operating either out wide or behind a central striker.
Cunha found the back of the net directly from a corner against the Red Devils on Boxing Day, and he also provided an assist for Hwang Hee-Chan's stoppage-time goal.
United failed to score in the three games prior to their match against Liverpool at Anfield, while Arsenal have found it difficult to create chances in the absence of winger Bukayo Saka.
Will Cunha leave in the summer?
Perhaps one of the reasons Cunha is set to sign a new contract with Wolves is that he wants to reaffirm his commitment to the team in the midst of their relegation battle.
Additionally, neither Arsenal nor Man United may have the funds to make an expensive purchase in the middle of the current campaign, particularly as both have spent heavily in past seasons.
The Gunners are reportedly on the lookout for potential opportunities in the January market, with a loan deal for Randal Kolo Muani mooted.
Amorim has himself stated that the Red Devils will try to do something in the winter, but the club are not likely to make significant purchases given Sir Jim Ratcliffe has implemented several controversial cost-cutting measures at Old Trafford.
If a transfer for Cunha to either club were to materialise, it would almost certainly have to be in the summer window when the teams are likely to have more funds. body check tags ::
