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Man United, Arsenal 'in three-team battle' to steal £15.7m midfielder from Premier League rivals

Will Wolves bite? Arsenal, Man Utd 'in three-team battle' for 23-year-old
© Imago
Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are all competing for the signature of Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes, according to a report.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are all competing for the signature of Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes, according to a report.

The 23-year-old made the move to Molineux in a £15.7m deal from Flamengo midway through the 2022-23 season, prior to which he was heavily linked with a switch to Liverpool.

Gomes has quickly adapted to the demands of English football and now has five goals and three assists under his belt from 70 Wolves appearances this season, including two goals and two assists from 21 outings this term.

The midfielder has started 19 of Wolves' 20 Premier League contests this season - only missing one showdown due to suspension - and he set up Rayan Ait-Nouri's opener in Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup third-round win over Bristol City.

Wolves have Gomes under contract until the summer of 2028 with the option of a further 12 months, but according to The Sun, the West Midlands side must now fend off the attention of three clubs.

Liverpool to reignite Gomes interest?

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes pictured on November 2, 2024© Imago

Both Arsenal and Man United have apparently been running the rule over Gomes's displays in 2024-25, while Liverpool could also revive their interest in the former Flamengo man.

However, Wolves are said to be confident of keeping hold of Gomes during the January transfer window, but they may be fighting an uphill battle to retain his services when the summer rolls around.

The Old Gold have enjoyed a new manager bounce under Vitor Pereira, who went unbeaten in his first three Premier League games in charge, but they were swept aside 3-0 by Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest on Monday.

That home humbling at the hands of former boss Nuno Espirito Santo left Wolves 17th in the Premier League table, only above Ipswich Town on goal difference in the highest of the relegation spots.

Should Pereira's men drop down to the Championship for 2025-26, Gomes could look to force an exit to a top-flight side, although Wolves are confident of tying fellow in-demand Brazilian Matheus Cunha down to fresh terms.

How Gomes could benefit Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on January 4, 2025© Imago

Gomes's midfield qualities are not restricted to just the one position; the 23-year-old can play as a number six, number eight and number 10, making him a highly attractive engine room prospect.

All of Arsenal, Man United and Liverpool could lose at least two midfielders this summer, as Thomas Partey and Jorginho are both out of contract at the Emirates at the end of the season.

The former is not believed to be in talks with the hierarchy over an extension just yet, while Jorginho's agent has reportedly offered the former Chelsea man to a Brazilian giant.

Meanwhile, Man United are expected to entertain offers for Casemiro and Christian Eriksen this summer, while Wataru Endo and Tyler Morton could both be on their way out of Anfield.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489


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