Manchester United are preparing for another transfer battle next summer, with Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes firmly on their radar as Ruben Amorim looks to reshape his midfield options. According to The Daily Mail, United are monitoring the 23-year-old Brazilian as part of a broader search for a long-term No 6 who can bring balance, energy and aggression to the middle of the park.
Uniteds recruitment team have reportedly kept a close eye on several targets, including Brightons Carlos Baleba and Atletico Madrids Conor Gallagher, but financial constraints have shaped their approach. Having already spent £230 million last summer on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and goalkeeper Senne Lammens, the clubs budget for another marquee midfielder may depend on offloading high earners.
Wolves Joao Gomes has impressed with his tenacity, composure and tactical intelligence since arriving from Flamengo in 2023. His all-action displays have earned plaudits across the league, and it is no surprise to see top clubs circling. As The Daily Mail reports, Confidential understands United are also monitoring Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes.
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Uniteds interest comes amid efforts to trim their wage bill, with Casemiros £375,000-a-week deal viewed as unsustainable in the long term. United are trying to drive down their wage bill, notes The Daily Mail, adding that the club are reluctant to extend the Brazilians contract under its current terms. That could pave the way for a younger, less costly compatriot to take over the anchor role Amorim values so highly in his possession-based system.
Gomes, who blends the combative instincts of a destroyer with the discipline of a deep-lying playmaker, fits that profile. His ability to recover the ball quickly and progress play through midfield aligns with Amorims tactical blueprint, particularly as United seek greater control in transitions. Sources close to the club suggest Gomes is admired for his consistency, maturity and mentality, traits that would appeal to any manager attempting to stabilise Uniteds fluctuating form.
The challenge for United is financial and competitive. Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are also expected to enter the midfield market next summer, each boasting deeper resources and Champions League appeal. All three of their Premier League rivals will be shopping in the same marketplace with more money to spend, The Daily Mail highlights.
Despite those hurdles, Amorim remains committed to identifying talent that suits his long-term vision rather than chasing headline signings. Uniteds hierarchy would ideally secure a deal before the World Cup, aware that strong performances on the global stage could inflate prices dramatically.
Joao Gomes, however, could emerge as both a pragmatic and progressive choice. His potential resale value, age profile and adaptability make him an appealing option in a market where elite holding midfielders are increasingly scarce.
For Manchester United supporters, the idea of signing Joao Gomes feels like a clever piece of business rather than another big-name gamble. Under Ruben Amorim, there has been a clear shift towards players who fit a specific structure instead of headline-grabbing signings that lack tactical fit. Gomes represents that shift perfectly: young, driven and Premier League-proven.
Fans will remember how Casemiros arrival initially transformed Uniteds midfield, only for age and injuries to catch up. Gomes could be that next evolution a Brazilian with the same fighting spirit but fresher legs and a longer career trajectory ahead.
While Liverpool, Chelsea and City may have the financial edge, Uniteds appeal under Amorim lies in opportunity. A player like Gomes could become central to the next phase of rebuilding, just as Bruno Fernandes did when he joined in 2020. Supporters would view this move as a statement of smart recruitment one that shows United are finally learning from their past scattergun approach.
If United can act decisively before the World Cup, they might just steal a march on their rivals and bring in a player capable of anchoring their midfield for years to come.