Manchester United are reportedly preparing a perfect welcoming present for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes, should they complete a £44 million move for the Brazilian when the transfer window reopens in January.
Midfield Reinforcements Sought
The Red Devils have identified central midfield as a key area for strengthening and have been tracking potential targets since the summer. Despite manager Ruben Amorim bolstering his attacking options with five new signings ahead of the current season – including Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeujo – the centre of the park remains a priority.
Gomes, a 24-year-old Brazilian international, has emerged as a serious candidate to fill that role. Wolves, now under the management of Rob Edwards following Vitor Pereira's departure, are believed to value their key player at around £44 million.
The Shirt Number Temptation
If a deal can be struck, United might already have an enticing welcome gift lined up for their new recruit. While Gomes currently wears the No.8 shirt at Wolves, that number is occupied at Old Trafford by club captain Bruno Fernandes.
However, the prestigious No.14 shirt has become available following the summer departure of Christian Eriksen. This number, famously worn by United legends, could be offered to Gomes. Furthermore, the numbers 17, 20, and 21 are also currently vacant, providing several options for the potential new signing.
Managerial Perspective and Competition
When questioned about the mounting transfer speculation, new Wolves boss Rob Edwards attempted to downplay the rumours. Ahead of his managerial debut for the club, Edwards stated, "We've spoken about stuff but my focus has been on getting the team organised. We have got some good players, and there will always be interest, but I'm not aware of anything. Joao has been excellent this week."
Gomes is not the only midfielder on United's radar. The club's shortlist is understood to include other promising talents such as Brighton's Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, indicating a clear strategic focus on reinforcing their midfield engine room.
Whether United will formalise their interest with a concrete bid in January remains to be seen, but the potential acquisition of Joao Gomes signals their intent to build a more robust and competitive squad for the challenges ahead.
