Liverpool and Man Utd open formal talks for a relegated £40m midfield powerhouse who previously admitted moving to Anfield is his “biggest dream in football.”
Liverpool’s hunt for midfield reinforcements has led them to the West Midlands, where Wolverhampton Wanderers’ João Gomes has emerged as a prime target. As the Reds look to plug the gaps that have left their engine room looking far too open, the Brazilian international stands out as a gritty, Premier League-proven solution.
The transfer market is heating up, and Liverpool are firmly in the hunt for a new midfielder. If you have watched the Reds over the last year, you know exactly where the problem lies. Too many times, our midfield has looked too weak. When the frontline press breaks down, opposition teams slice straight through our central areas, leaving the backline completely exposed.
Anfield chiefs need to find a solution, and they might have just found it in the West Midlands. Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder João Gomes is high on the club’s radar, and this is a transfer story that is moving fast.
Here is the full, detailed breakdown of why the Brazilian star is the perfect fix, how a massive transfer twist in Spain opened the door for Liverpool, and why the player himself is desperate for the move.
At 25, Gomes represents the antithesis of a luxury signing. Supporters have spent the last few seasons watching Liverpool’s midfield structure collapse during high-intensity pressing transitions, leaving central areas vulnerable to marauding opposition runners. Gomes provides the immediate remedy: pure, unadulterated aggression, relentless stamina, and a fierce appetite to win duels.
His profile aligns perfectly with what the club requires. While other targets might demand a lengthy acclimatisation period, Gomes knows the Premier League inside out. Having registered 35 appearances last season, he proved himself as the standout performer in a struggling Wolves side, even earning the club’s Supporters Player of the Season award for 2024/25.
For a long time, it looked like Gomes was heading to Spain. The 25-year-old midfielder had actually agreed on a deal in principle to join Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.
Then came a massive twist. Negotiations between Wolves and Atletico hit a complete standstill, and the La Liga club walked away from the deal entirely. The agreed valuation had sat at a precise £39 million. Instead of completing the deal for Gomes, Atletico decided to pivot and spend over £42 million on Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand.
With the Spanish side out of the picture, Liverpool according to Brazilian outlet Globo, an approach has been made to Wolves over a deal for Gomes and looks highly possible at around the £40 million mark.
Manchester United appeared to have wrapped up their own primary defensive midfield target this week. Old Trafford officials had reached a total agreement with Atalanta over a deal for Brazilian star Éderson, even sorting personal terms. However, the move collapsed at the eleventh hour when United pulled the plug due to an issue flagged during the player’s medical tests.
Both English giants have enquired about the exact terms, fee structure, and payment schedules required to pry the 25-year-old away from Molineux.
Why Wolves have to sell their star man
Gomes is currently in his third full season in England. He originally joined Wolves from Flamengo back in January 2023 for a bargain fee of around£15 million. He quickly became the heartbeat of their team, even winning the Wolves Supporters’ Player of the Season award for the 24/25 campaign.
He signed a brand-new contract with Wolves just last April, but football moves fast. Wolves endured a truly disastrous campaign, failing to win any of their first 11 games losing nine and drawing two. That horrific start doomed their season, and their relegation from the Premier League was officially confirmed at the end of the 2025/26 season.
A player of Gomes’ immense quality belongs at the very top level. He is not going to play in the Championship, and Wolves desperately need to trim their wage bill after dropping down a division. This gives the Reds all the leverage in negotiations to secure him for that £40 million figure rather than his previous £60 million price tag.
At 25 years old, he is entering his absolute prime. He already possesses crucial Premier League experience, which means he carries almost zero adaptation risk. He can slot straight into the starting XI on day one and give the team the physical steel it desperately lacks.
The best part of this entire transfer saga? The player actively wants to move to Anfield. João Gomes has already made his feelings about Liverpool crystal clear, and he did not hide his excitement when discussing a potential move to Merseyside.
Despite United’s financial muscle and urgent need for midfield bodies, Liverpool still hold a massive psychological advantage in negotiations.
Speaking to ESPN Brazil back in 2022, Gomes explicitly revealed where his heart lies.
“Liverpool is a team I would play for,” Gomes said. “I have the greatest desire to play. Playing in the Champions League is my biggest dream and that of my family, my biggest dream in football.”
With Atletico Madrid out of the race, Wolves relegated, and the player openly dreaming of a move to Anfield, Liverpool have a golden opportunity.