Manchester United could look to attack the January transfer window, having identified Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes as a target
Joao Gomes
Joao Gomes is on Manchester United's transfer wishlist(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Joao Gomes has been strongly linked with Manchester United ahead of the January transfer window. The Brazilian midfielder has emerged as a potential option to strenghten Ruben Amorim's squad, having impressed during his time in the Premier League.
With Casemiro's contract set to expire next summer, United are keen to trim their wage bill and he could leave at the end of the season. Although the club hold an option to extend his stay by 12 months, the Manchester Evening News understands the Reds would prefer to reduce his salary rather than trigger the extension.
Gomes, meanwhile, is seen as the ideal replacement with Premier League experience. Signed by Wolves from Flamengo in a £16million deal in 2023, the 24-year-old has made 93 Premier League appearances, complemented by six goals and two assists.
He has been a standout player in a poor Wolves side this term, and this may be the only chance for the club to secure a significant fee for Gomes if they are relegated at the end of the campaign. Gomes still has four-and-a-half years left on his contract at Molineux.
Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a closer look at the latest Brazilian reports concerning Gomes...
Globo Esporte
Globo believe a deal will be done by the end of 2025, with United keen to sign Gomes prior to the end of the current campaign.
The intriguing detail in this report is the fee.
Cahe Mota writes: "Manchester United want to count on Joao Gomes before the end of the season. The club have shown interest and negotiations are ongoing for his transfer for a fee of around £44m (€50m).
"There are optimism between both parties for the transfer to be completed by the end of the year. Wolves' poor Premier League campaign has opened up the possibility for his departure in the winter transfer window with the club keen to prevent losing players on the cheap in case of relegation."
UOL
UOL make a big claim, reporting that talks are at an advanced stage between Wolves and United. Crucially, a mid-season move would heighten Gomes' role ahead of this summer's World Cup in the United States.
Gilherme Xavier penned: "Joao Gomes is close to leaving the bottom-placed Premier League club Wolves for one of the biggest clubs in football. Wolves is in advanced negotiations with Manchester United for the Brazilian's services.
"United have been showing interest in the former Flamengo player since last year. Now, they have intensified talks to try and reach an agreement before 2026. Due to the team's results, which sees them at the bottom of the Premier League, he wants a more prominent role ahead of next summer's World Cup."
Terra
Terra report that Flamengo are keeping an eye on negotiations given they will be in line for a big payday should a deal be done.
"Flamengo is closely following the situation," the outlet writes. "Gomes came through the Rubro-Negro set-up and have the right to a 10 per cent fee of any transfer. Furthermore, FIFA would guarantee them an additional four per cent fee since Gomes joined the youth academy as a child and only left when he turned 21.
"Therefore, Flamengo would receive 14 per cent for the transfer. In total, the Rio de Janeiro club would pocket €7m (£6m)."