Football
Exclusive: Wolves Dig In to Resist Joao Gomes Exit Amid Man Utd and Aston Villa Interest
New Wolves boss Rob Edwards is determined to keep Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes amidst interest from Aston Villa. Gomes, 24, has been linked with Manchester United. Wolves do not want to sell their star player, who has five years left on his contract. Despite a poor season start, Gomes is key to Edwards’ plans.
Chelsea v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League by Steve Bardens | Getty Images
Wolves will do everything in their power to keep hold of Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes amidst growing interest in his signature, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The highly-rated 24-year-old has been heavily-linked with a move to Manchester United.
But our sources understand Wolves are loathed to sell the former Flamengo man, with Aston Villa now understood to be interested in signing the player when the transfer window opens in just under two months’ time.
Wolves sold Gomes’ international compatriot Matheus Cunha to United in the summer transfer window.
And with left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri having left to join Manchester City, the West Midlands outfit do not want to let any of their star players leave.
New boss Rob Edwards is believed to be determined to keep Gomes, who has five years left on his current contract.
But Edwards and Wolves are also realistic that money talks and a sizeable fee for Gomes would allow manager and club to improve the squad.
Additionally, Wolves are among a handful of clubs showing interest in West Ham striker Niklas Füllkrug, but the German international is expected to return to the Bundesliga, which remains his preferred destination.
DISMAL START
Wolves are rooted to the foot of the Premier League after a dismal start to this season’s campaign.
Former boss Vitor Pereira paid the price for the club’s poor start with the sack after just ten Premier League games this term.
Ex-Wolves player Edwards has been brought in steady to the ship, and our sources understand Gomes is paramount to his plans.
This season Gomes has started in all but of the club’s 11 top-flight fixtures and is closing in on 100 Premier League appearances for Wolves.
He joined the club on a five-and-a-half-year deal in January 2023 for a reported £15million.
But consistent performances for Wolves has attracted interest, with Villa also now believed to be keen to enter the race to sign the midfielder.
Capped ten times by his country, Gomes is believed to be good friends with United’s Cunha and could be tempted with a high-profile move to Old Trafford.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.