'What a player!' - Micah Richards heaps praise on Man Utd target

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 26 Mar 2024 19:21 GMT
• 3 min read

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards was blown away by Joao Gomes’ performance for Brazil against England on Saturday evening.

Gomes has shone since his move to Wolverhampton Wanderers and he earned his first senior international cap at Wembley, with the 23-year-old starring at the home of English football.

The Brazil midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United recently, although FootballTransfers have exclusively reported that the Red Devils will have to pay a fee considerably in excess of €45 million to land the Wolves star.

Gomes has been touted as a possible long-term replacement for his countryman Casemiro at Old Trafford and Richards believes that he is ready for a big move this summer.

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What has Micah Richards said?

During his appearance on the Rest is Football podcast, Richards was quick to heap praise on Gomes following his performance against Gareth Southgate’s England side.

“We have to give a quick shoutout to Gomes of Wolves,” he said. “Oh my word, what a player he is by the way.

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“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.”

Man Utd are also interested in signing Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, FootballTransfers understands, as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his midfield options.

Onana’s club team-mate Jarrad Branthwaite is the Red Devils’ priority centre-back target, sources have informed us, while Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise is also being pursued as Man Utd look to sign an Antony upgrade.