**Liverpool have suffered a seismic blow in their efforts to sign Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes this summer, with the Brazilian set to join Aston Villa instead.**
The 25-year-old has been mentioned as one of many midfield targets for the Reds, as new head coach Andoni Iraola looks to add quality in the middle of the park.
Gomes is an impressive player, standing out for Wolves despite their relegation from the Premier League last season, with his [brilliance not lost on Rob Edwards](https://live4liverpool.com/liverpool-now-view-joao-gomes-as-an-ideal-summer-signing/):
_“I think he’s a wonderful player and he’s shown real glimpses and a lot of good stuff since we arrived as well. But I think it’s been hard for him because in a team that has struggled at times or if you’ve not got the results, it can be challenging. You can think ‘I’ve made a big move here’ and then you question things. I understand it, but he really, really stepped up the other night and that’s the level that we want to see from him all of the time now.”_
Despite Liverpool seemingly being in the mix to sign Gomes, it now looks as though a move to Villa is all but done, according to a key claim from journalist John Townley on [_X_](https://x.com/johntownley11/status/2077672176359031199?s=20):
_“Joao Gomes is leaving Wolves’ training camp in Portugal to finalise a move to AVFC worth around £35m. The 25yo has said his goodbyes to his teammates and is now expected to undergo a medical at Villa after talks between the clubs accelerated.”_
**Who will Liverpool add to their midfield this summer?**
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This is a shame, given Gomes’ class and proven Premier League quality, but Liverpool must continue to focus on alternatives, with at least one midfielder needed.
Things appear to have cooled regarding Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, but the former would be a particularly exciting option if a deal were struck.
Wharton was unlucky to miss out on England’s 2026 World Cup squad, and would bring poise and tackling ability in a deep-lying role that Liverpool arguably lack currently.
If it isn’t the Palace man or Iraola’s former player Scott, another midfielder is a must, with Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Lille teenage star Ayyoub Bouaddi both exciting possibilities.