Who is Joao Gomes? The Man Utd target shining for Brazil and Wolves

Suraj Radia

29 Mar 2024 10:53 GMT
4 min read

Joao Gomes is the latest midfielder on Manchester United's transfer wish-list as Erik ten Hag seeks summer reinforcements.

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The Brazilian recently made his senior international debut against England and he has shone since joining Wolves from Flamengo in 2023.

But, who is Gomes and just how good is the Man Utd target?

What position does Joao Gomes play?

Gomes is a defensive midfielder who can play as a 'six' or as an 'eight'.

How good is Joao Gomes?

Gomes is one of the most well-regarded players in Brazilian football and he is expected to join a Champions League level club very soon.

The Wolves star made over 100 appearances for Flamengo before moving to Molineux for over €18m in January 2023 and his time in Brazil was sensational.

Gomes led his side to the Brazilian Serie A title in 2020 and the Supercopa do Brasil in 2021, as well as the regional Campeonato Carioca trophies in 2020 and 2021. Furthermore, he also played a key role as Flamengo triumphed in the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian Cup finals in 2022.

A tough-tackling midfielder, Gomes is the perfect number six and there aren't many players in world football who can match the number of defensive actions he musters each game.

Although not renowned for his ability in the final third, Gomes is comfortable in possession and after being criticised for his lack of goal contributions in Brazil, he responded: "I hear a lot that I don't know how to create. These days, I'm stealing more balls than I'm setting up, but I still know how to set up. I know how to make a key pass and get assists."

😅🔴⚫ Still not over this bit of skill from @Flamengo_en's João Gomes#GloriaEterna pic.twitter.com/Stn5f20m8D
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@TheLibertadores) September 10, 2022

Following his senior Brazil debut against England in March 2023, Micah Richards was eager to heap praise on the Wolves star. “We have to give a quick shoutout to Gomes of Wolves,” he said. “Oh my word, what a player he is by the way.

“I didn’t have the team-sheet and I didn’t have my glasses on and I was thinking, ‘who’s this guy?’

“I couldn’t even see until I got my glasses on but Gomes, he is a player by the way,” Richards continued.

“Obviously, we don’t get to see Wolves too much on TV. We see them on Match of the Day. Seeing him up close and personal, his touches, his anticipation when he’s winning the ball back and his weight of ball forward. Sorry Wolves fans, he’s going to the top that lad.”

What clubs are interested in Joao Gomes?

Man Utd have emerged as strong candidates to sign Gomes ahead of the 2024 summer transfer window. The Red Devils are seeking a replacement for Casemiro and the Wolves man is one possible candidate, along with Amadou Onana and Joao Neves.

However, FootballTransfers has been told that Man Utd will have to pay considerably more than £40 million to sign the Brazil international.

Gomes was on Man Utd's radar during his time at Flamengo, before he joined Wolves, while Liverpool were credited with strong interest in his services too.

The Wolves midfielder even previously admitted: "Liverpool are a team I’d play for. I have the greatest desire to play [for them].

"Playing in the Champions League is my biggest dream and that of my family, my biggest dream in football."