Manchester United are not able to repeat the transfer trick that landed them Matheus Cunha in the summer
Joao Gomes looks on
Joao Gomes is one of Wolves' prized assets and has been linked with a move to Manchester United
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Manchester United will not be able to sign Wolves star Joao Gomes by activating a release clause in his contract as the Brazilian doesn't have one with the Midlands club. Gomes, 24, signed a new five-year deal with Wolves in April of this year.
The contract also reportedly includes an option for an additional year with the club, who recently appointed Rob Edwards as manager following the dismissal of Vitor Pereira earlier this month.
Without a release clause in Gomes' contract, similar to the one that enabled United to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves this summer, United could now be subject to Wolves' demands for their star player. It's believed Gomes could set United back around £44 million.
Cunha made the move to United this summer after the club met his £62.5m buy-out clause, thus securing the player for less than his market value. The ambitious Gomes is currently in his third full season at Molineux, having transferred from Flamengo in January 2023 for approximately £15m.
Reports from Portugal suggest that United are considering a move for the midfielder. However, it's understood that any potential transfer would likely have to wait until the summer, as Wolves have no plans to sell any of their key players in January.
United's interest in Gomes is so strong that Cunha has expressed excitement at the possibility of playing alongside his former team-mate and fellow countryman at United. The United forward even likened him to current United star Casemiro.
"He is a bit older now but I put Casemiro's name there only to show where Joao Gomes could arrive," Cunha said. "I think Joao has the possibility to arrive. He is very humble, and he works a lot. The good teams come like a gift when you do that.
Joao Gomes (L) and Matheus Cunha look on
Joao Gomes (L) and Matheus Cunha during their days together at Wolves(Image: 2024 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
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"He is unbelievable on the pitch. I feel very secure. I feel like I can lose the ball when I have my midfielders behind me. He played very well for the national team, too."
United could encounter fierce competition for Gomes from arch-rivals Liverpool, however. During his time at Flamengo, the Brazil international revealed that the Reds would be his preferred destination should he secure a lucrative transfer in the future.
"Liverpool is a team I would play for," Gomes told ESPN Brazil at the time. "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."
United are reportedly targeting Premier League-tested players for the next phase of Ruben Amorim's reconstruction. United attempted to acquire Carlos Baleba from Brighton during the closing stages of the summer transfer window.
In addition to the Seagulls midfielder, United are also understood to hold interest in Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton as United seek to strengthen their midfield department.
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