Aston Villa are stepping up their business in the transfer market as they look to give Unai Emery the best possible squad to challenge for honours.
The 2025/26 campaign proved to be a memorable one for the Villans as they lifted the Europa League trophy and also secured a top-four finish in the Premier League.
The Midlands club have made huge strides under Emery and the Spaniard will be hoping that the club's first trophy in 30 years is the start of regular silverware at Villa Park.
Key to that will be taking their squad to the next level, with Villa now on course to add two players to their midfield for the new term.
Villa close in on Wolves ace
Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes in action vs Crystal Palace-1
Aston Villa are set to secure the signing of Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes in a deal worth around £35million, according to BirminghamLive.
The Brazilian is leaving Wolves' training camp in Portugal to complete the formalities of his move across the Midlands after the clubs struck an agreement for the 25-year-old.
Amid Wolves' struggles in the Premier League in recent years, Gomes has been a shining light for the team in the middle of the park.
The 'insane' Rio de Janeiro-born midfielder, who joined from Flamengo in 2023, has been a regular in midfield for Wolves after making 130 appearances in all competitions.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Gomes was always expected to move on following his club's relegation to the Championship, with Manchester United and Spanish side Atletico Madrid previously linked with a move for him.
A move for Gomes will see Villa immediately replace Youri Tielemans in midfield after the Belgian completed a £35m move to Manchester United earlier this week.
Villa, who recently lost midfielder Amadou Onana to an ACL injury sustained at the World Cup, are also expected to complete the signing of Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg after stealing a march on Newcastle United with the exciting midfielder initially looking set to move to St James' Park.
Much-needed midfield boost
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina clashes with Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans
The additions of Gomes and Manzambi will give Villa some much-needed strength in depth in the middle of the park going into the new season.
Already a position Villa needed to target prior to Tielemans' transfer and Onana's injury, the Midlands club have moved quickly for the incoming duo to give them sufficient time with Emery and the squad in pre-season before they open the Premier League campaign away at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Gomes and Manzambi will join John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley, Lamare Bogarde, Emiliano Buendia and Onana as midfield options for Emery to choose from.
The Villa boss is going to need a big squad this season with an initial eight Champions League games to look forward to after returning to Europe's premier competition after a season away.