Chelsea and Manchester United have reportedly fallen behind Liverpool in the race to sign 25-year-old Brazilian international Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
According to a report by Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes. The three Premier League giants are keen on reinforcing their first-team squads by signing a holding midfielder in the coming months. However, Chelsea and Manchester United have fallen behind Liverpool in the battle for the 25-year-old midfielder’s signature.
How has Joao Gomes performed 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 25-year-old midfielder has made significant progress in the last three years, and he has been a rare bright spot in a dreadful campaign for the Black Country outfit.
Gomes has made over 100 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers thus far while chipping in with eight goals and six assists. Meanwhile, the Brazilian midfielder’s progress has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature this year. The player’s £60,000-a-week wages make him an appealing target.
A man in demand
Chelsea will dip into the market for a midfielder in the summer transfer window, as speculation surrounding Enzo Fernandez’s long-term future continues to grow. Recent reports have claimed that a summer move to Real Madrid may be on the cards. Additionally, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo have struggled with fitness issues throughout the 2025/26 season. So, Gomes is a viable target for Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Liverpool mulled over signing Joao Gomes in the winter transfer window, but they did not secure his services. The continued interest is understandable, as Wataru Endo faces an uncertain future at Anfield. Several candidates have thus emerged on Liverpool’s wishlist, with Gomes also an option worth considering.
As for Manchester United, the Red Devils also wanted to sign Gomes in the winter transfer window. The continued interest makes sense, as Casemiro will leave as a free agent after the 2025/26 season. Additionally, Manuel Ugarte has been a liability throughout his stint with Manchester United. So, the Red Devils have set their sights on Gomes.
As iterated earlier, Gomes’s £60,000-a-week wages should make him a procurable target for Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United. However, with the Merseyside outfit in pole position to sign, the situation may only flip if the Reds miss out on UEFA Champions League qualification and the other two clubs finish in the top five.
