Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes has publicly addressed the swirling speculation linking him with a January transfer to Manchester United, making a defiant statement of loyalty to his current club.
Social Media Statement Amid Transfer Rumours
The Brazilian international broke his silence on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday night following numerous reports connecting him with a move to Old Trafford. Posting a photograph of himself in Wolves training gear, the 23-year-old wrote: "Excited to do what no one believes, for us and for our city. Let's go wolves [wolf emoji]."
This declaration comes despite Gomes missing out on Carlo Ancelotti's latest Brazil squad and appears to signal his commitment to helping Wolves in their battle against Premier League relegation.
Manchester United's Midfield Search
According to understanding from Mirror Sport, Joao Gomes has emerged as a genuine target for Manchester United as manager Ruben Amorim looks to strengthen his midfield options during the January transfer window.
The Red Devils have reportedly been monitoring the Wolves star for the past 18 months and view him as a potential alternative to other targets, including Newcastle's Elliot Anderson, who has also attracted interest from Liverpool and Manchester City.
United have long been admirers of Brighton's Carlos Baleba, but both he and Nottingham Forest playmaker Anderson could command transfer fees exceeding £100 million, making Gomes a more financially viable option.
Contract Situation and Transfer Valuation
Gomes finds himself in a strong contractual position at Molineux, with his current deal running until June 2030. Portuguese media reports have suggested that Wolves could consider offers around £44 million for their prized asset.
However, Mirror Sport understands that any deal at that price might need to wait until the summer transfer window. When Rob Edwards replaced Vitor Pereira as manager, Wolves' hierarchy agreed not to sell key players during the winter window to enhance the club's chances of Premier League survival.
This commitment presents a significant obstacle for Manchester United's January plans, with Wolves currently sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table while United occupy seventh position.
Teammate Endorsements and Playing Style
Former Wolves striker Matheus Cunha, who joined Manchester United in a £62.5 million transfer last July, has previously drawn comparisons between Gomes and Casemiro. The pair were teammates at Molineux, playing together 70 times over three seasons, and have also featured alongside each other for the Brazilian national team.
Speaking in an interview last July, Cunha explained why his compatriot would fit perfectly into Amorim's squad at Old Trafford. "Maybe Casemiro. He is a bit older now, but I put Casemiro's name there only to show where Joao Gomes could arrive," said the United forward.
Cunha added: "I think Joao has the possibility to arrive. He is very humble, and he works a lot. The good teams come like a gift when you do that. He is unbelievable on the pitch. I feel very secure. I feel like I can lose the ball when I have my midfielders behind me."
Amorim's Transfer Window Approach
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim recently hinted that squad changes could be forthcoming, acknowledging that some players might seek moves away from Old Trafford. Speaking to ESPN, the Portuguese tactician said: "A lot of things can happen. Even in our club, and you know that we have World Cup, some players are not playing, they will ask to leave, so I have to manage everything."
Amorim didn't dismiss the possibility of strengthening his team during the January transfer window but emphasised a strategic approach to recruitment. "We want to bring players that we can see a big future in Manchester United," he stated.
"We are not just buying one guy, because now we feel in December that we need this kind of player for now. No, it's going to be... we want to buy players that we know we are not going to change a lot of times. So that is our idea."
Despite Gomes's apparent commitment to Wolves's survival fight, his impressive performances in a struggling team – having made 11 Premier League appearances this campaign despite Wolves drawing two and losing nine of those matches – continue to attract attention from top clubs.
The situation remains fluid as the January transfer window approaches, with Manchester United's midfield reinforcement plans potentially depending on Wolves's willingness to reconsider their stance on key player sales.
