Flamengo team-mate David Luiz has bid a fond farewell to Joao Gomes as the Brazilian midfielder closes in on a long-awaited move to Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers, via his official Instagram account.
A couple of months ago, 21-year-old Gomes admitted that it was his ‘dream’ to play in the top-flight of English football. A dream that Wolves are helping him to realise; the men from Molineux closing in on a deal that will make Gomes the fifth new signing since Julen Lopetegui replaced Bruno Lage.
Accoding to the BBC, Wolves have agreed a £15 million fee with Flamengo.
Gomes, who only made his senior debut in 2020 but already has six trophies on his CV, was desperate to don that iconic Old Gold kit, rebuffing the advances of French giants Lyon as he held out for Wolves.
Now, with a breakthrough finally reached, Gomes should be in line to make his bow when Liverpool travel to Molineux on February 4th.
Wolves are close to signing Joao Gomes from Flamengo
“Go with God, brother,” former Arsenal and Chelsea centre-back David Luiz writes on Instagram, saying goodbye to a player who made such an impact during Flamengo’s 2022 Copa Libertadores-winning campaign.
“You deserve it! God bless.”
According to FootMercato, Lyon offered Gomes a larger salary than he will get in Wolverhampton. Money isn’t everything, however. Gomes, who averages more successful tackles per game than anyone in Lopetegui’s squad and has been nicknamed the ‘Pitbull’ for his bone-chewing belligerence back home in Brazil, could now form an all-new midfield partnership with Mario Lemina, allowing Ruben Neves or Matheus Nunes the freedom to push forward and pick locks in the final third.
Wolves have also signed Spain international Pablo Sarabia from PSG and Atletico Madrid benchwarmer Matheus Cunha. Craig Dawson secured a long-awaited return to the Midlands too, with Daniel Bentley arriving via Bristol City to provide some experienced back-up for Jose Sa between the sticks.
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