Wolves midfielder João Gomes has been linked with a potential return to Flamengo, along with interest from Manchester United. The Brazilian club’s interest appears entirely dependent on Wolves suffering relegation from the Premier League this season.
Flamengo are monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation, according to club insider outlet Gazeta do Urubu. However, they have not opened any negotiations.
The report claims the Rio de Janeiro side would only consider advancing if Wolves drop into the Championship. That scenario would trigger salary reductions and potentially open the door for an approach.
Wolves currently sit bottom of the Premier League and Flamengo’s strategy appears to hinge on this outcome.
However, journalist Julio Miguel Neto has directly contradicted the speculation. He reports that João Gomes’ representatives have no intention of negotiating a return to Brazilian football.
Napoli have emerged as a probable destination alongside interest from Manchester United. Neto adds that Flamengo have made no actual move for the midfielder. Manager Filipe Luís recently stated the club are well-stocked in that position.
“The player’s staff have no intention of negotiating a return to Brazilian football,” Neto wrote. “Napoli are a probable destination, in addition to approaches from Manchester United.”
Premier League interest complicates any potential move
The report acknowledges that any Brazilian approach faces significant obstacles beyond the player’s apparent disinterest.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham have all been mentioned by Brazilian outlets as potential suitors. This would inflate any asking price well beyond what South American clubs typically pay.
Gazeta do Urubu suggests Flamengo would need two things to happen. First, João Gomes himself would need to clearly push a desire a return to Brazil. Second, Wolves would have to accept a reduced fee. This mirrors the Lucas Paquetá situation, where the player’s wishes helped facilitate a deal favourable to the Brazilian club.
João Gomes is valued at around €40m (£33.5m). That’s more than double the €18.7m (£15.7m) Wolves paid Flamengo in January 2023. The figure approaches the €42m (£35.2m) invested in Paquetá last month when he left West Ham.
Where the João Gomes situation goes from here
For Wolves, the immediate concern is Premier League survival rather than transfer speculation. If they avoid relegation, the entire premise of Flamengo’s reported interest collapses.
Should the worst happen and Wolves go down, competing interest from Manchester United and other top-flight clubs would likely price out any Brazilian approach. This applies regardless of the player’s contractual situation.