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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
1Liverpool32237274314376
2Arsenal321712357273063
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle32185961402159
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest32176951381357
5Manchester CityMan City32167962422055
6Chelsea32159856391754
7Aston Villa3215984946354
8Bournemouth321391052401248
9Fulham32139104743448
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton32121285149248
11Brentford32127135248443
12Crystal Palace321110114145-443
13Everton32814103438-438
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd32108143845-738
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs321141760491137
16Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32105174761-1435
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham3298153654-1835
18Ipswich TownIpswich3249193367-3421
19Leicester CityLeicester3246222772-4518
20Southampton3224262377-5410


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