Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes reportedly has a verbal understanding with Napoli over a possible move in the winter transfer window.
According to a report by Caught Offside, Joao Gomes is the subject of interest from Napoli. The Serie A giants are scouring the market for a holding midfielder and have set their sights on the Wolverhampton Wanderers mainstay. While the 24-year-old is also a target for Crystal Palace and Manchester United, he has a verbal understanding with the Partenopei over a possible move in the winter transfer window.
How has Joao Gomes fared in the Premier League?
Joao Gomes has established himself as one of the most dependable midfielders in the Premier League since joining Wolverhampton Wanderers from Flamengo in January 2023. The Rio de Janeiro native spent his formative years in his hometown and graduated from the youth division at Flamengo. However, the 24-year-old has made significant progress in the last two years.
Gomes has made over 100 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers thus far while chipping in with seven goals and four assists. Meanwhile, the Brazilian midfielder’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs. Manchester United will be among the prospective suitors vying for his signature heading into the winter transfer window.
A man in demand
Napoli will dip into the market for a midfielder in the winter transfer window, as the results and performances have been inconsistent in the absence of regular midfielders in recent weeks. Gomes has thus emerged as a viable target for the Serie A champions, with the two parties having a verbal understanding for a January move.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s interest in Joao Gomes makes sense. Casemiro’s long-term future at Old Trafford is uncertain, while Manuel Ugarte has been dreadful since joining the Red Devils from Paris Saint-Germain 18 months ago. So, Gomes is an option worth considering for Manchester United.
As for Crystal Palace, Cheick Doucoure has been unavailable throughout the 2025/26 season due to a long-term knee injury. Additionally, Jefferson Lerma is on the wrong side of 30. So, with Adam Wharton being a hot property, Crystal Palace must scour the market for a holding midfielder.
Meanwhile, Liverpool recently ruled out a move for the 24-year-old Brazilian international. While that would boost the chances of Crystal Palace and Manchester United, Napoli’s verbal understanding with Gomes leaves the Premier League clubs in a spot of bother.