- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Neither Joao Gomes nor Wolves are in any rush to pursue a transfer despite interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Manchester United in the Brazilian.
While Wolverhampton Wanderers allowed captain Max Kilman to secure a £40 million move to West Ham United last week, the Molineux outfit currently have no plans to let another of their star men follow the defender out the door.
Wolves are under no immediate pressure to cash in on Joao Gomes. The same can be said for left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri or the £60 million-rated winger Pedro Neto.
All three have plenty of admirers, especially within the Premier League.
HITC understands that five of the division’s biggest and most well-heeled clubs have made their interest in Gomes known this summer.
Wolves will not sell Joao Gomes despite Man City interest
Tottenham Hotspur are admirers of a Brazil international who scored a brace to beat Ange Postecoglou’s side in North London back in February.
HITC have been told that Arsenal and Man City have enquired too. As have a Liverpool side who may feel they need a younger alternative to Wataru Endo in the engine room.
Manchester United are also in the market for midfield reinforcements, though Paris Saint-Germain benchwarmer Manuel Ugarte appears to have emerged as the priority target to replace Casemiro.
23-year-old Gomes only joined Wolves in a £15 million deal from Flamengo back in January 2023, choosing the Black Country over French giants Lyon.
The Rio-born ace has quickly developed into one of the more complete central midfielders in English football, not only a fine ball-winner and an excellent presser but also a terrific passer in possession. And, as Tottenham found out, he has an eye for goal too.
“We knew he would be able to press people and regain the ball like he did. And I thought he was excellent at that,” manager Gary O’Neil said after that 2-1 win at Spurs, via Live Score.
“I’m very keen to still try to improve what he is with the ball. We work very hard on it with him, his understanding with the ball and how clean he is with it, sometimes with his passes.
“I want for him to be perfect, as well as what he was able to do today without the ball and obviously getting two fantastic goals. For a 23-year-old to come away to Tottenham and produce that performance is extremely impressive.”
A busy summer already for Wolverhampton Wanderers
Gomes is under contract until 2028.
HITC understands that one of the most successful pound-for-pound signings in recent times at Molineux is in no rush to pursue another fresh start, while Wolves will not consider offers unless they are simply too good to turn down. Man City and co would have to offer O’Neil’s side a massive return on their £15 million investment for Wolves to even consider picking up the phone.
Wolves, meanwhile, have already secured three new signings this summer.
They fought off Chelsea to win the race for Sport Recife’s teenage right-back Pedro Lima while Rodrigo Gomes – an ‘exceptional’ talent often likened to a young Neto – joins from Braga.
Target man Jorgen Strand Larsen, meanwhile, will lead the line for O’Neil in 2023/24 after signing on an initial loan deal from Celta Vigo.
HITC understands that Wolves could now look to bring in Strahinja Pavlovic from Red Bull Salzburg as a potential £25 million Kilman replacement.
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