AliousNottingham Forest appears poised to make waves in the final days of the January transfer window, with Matheus Cunha and Yoane Wissa dominating the headlines. Evangelos Marinakis is determined to bolster Forest’s attacking options, having been left empty-handed in the summer when Santiago Gimenez declined a move to the club.
The pursuit of a new striker has seen Forest linked to a wide range of names, but two standouts have emerged: Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. Wissa was the initial target, but Brentford rejected Forest’s £22m bid earlier in the week. This rejection has seemingly shifted Forest’s attention to Cunha, whose uncertain contract situation at Wolves has fueled speculation. Reports now suggest that Forest is prepared to table a record-breaking bid for the Brazilian forward, sparking excitement among fans and management alike.
When asked about the links to Cunha and Wissa in a press conference ahead of Forest’s clash with Bournemouth, Nuno Espírito Santo remained diplomatic. On the subject of prioritizing a striker, he said: “It’s not easy to find players that can improve us because our players are working very, very well.” Pressed further on the ongoing Cunha rumors, the Forest boss brushed off the question, stating: “I don’t know anything about that, how can I comment about that! I’m so sorry to disappoint you.”
Despite the manager’s reluctance to comment, there’s no doubt Espírito Santo and Marinakis are working behind the scenes to decide which forward would best complement Chris Wood in Forest’s attack. Statistically, both players bring different strengths to the table, offering contrasting styles that could shape the team’s playstyle going forward.
Wissa, for instance, is a proven goal threat, with an expected goals (xG) tally nearly three times higher than Cunha’s. Conversely, Cunha offers more creativity, creating an additional chance per 90 minutes compared to Wissa. The Brazilian also excels in dribbling, completing 2.07 successful dribbles per game—a stark contrast to Wissa’s 0.42 and Wood’s 0.15. Both players also surpass Wood in passing ability, though their approaches to the game differ significantly.
Ultimately, Forest’s decision will hinge on whether they prioritize Wissa’s clinical finishing or Cunha’s creative flair. With Marinakis seemingly prepared to invest heavily to fuel Forest’s push for European football, either player could be a transformative addition to the squad.
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