Liverpool & Man Utd chase Wolves' £34m-rated 'standout performer' amid 'big offer' claim

Wolves could face fresh interest in key midfielder João Gomes, with a new report claiming that both Manchester United and Liverpool are “keeping a close eye” on the Brazilian midfielder.

According to Football Insider, both clubs have had scouts at Molineux to watch the 23-year-old play in recent times, and they have a “potential January move in mind” as they look to alternatives after missing out on Martin Zubimendi, who is expected to join Arsenal in the summer.

Gomes, described as a “standout performer” in the article and who has started all but one match for Wolves in the Premier League this season, continues to be a key player under new head coach Vitor Pereira - but it may come as a relief to supporters that the report also states that the club are “not willing” to sell any first-team players as they battle to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Will Wolves sell João Gomes?

There was considerable speculation surrounding Gomes’ future at Molineux over the summer with several high-profile sides linked with a bid, and while he stayed put it is unsurprising to see teams linked with the nine-cap Brazil international once more.

An exit is, according to the article, “more likely to take place in the summer”, and Wolves would likely demand a considerable fee for a player who still has three-and-a-half years remaining on the contract he signed when he arrived from Flamengo in 2023 on a deal believed to be worth more than £15m.

The combative midfielder has been among Wolves’ best players since completing that move and has already scored two goals in 19 league games this season against Crystal Palace and Fulham.

As a key component of Vitor Pereira’s squad, it is considered unlikely that Wolves will let him go this January despite the report, which cites a former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers scout as its source.

How much would João Gomes cost?

As one of Wolves’ prized possessions, it is unlikely that they would be prepared to let him go for anything other than a heavily inflated fee in the January transfer window – the Football Insider report doesn’t mention how much Manchester United and Liverpool might offer.

He is currently valued at €40m (£34m) by Transfermarkt, but would be expected to fetch a far higher price in the winter transfer window. Manchester United are unlikely to be able to spend so heavily without selling current players due to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, although Liverpool could conceivably afford to make a move and are keen to land a new central midfielder after the last-minute collapse of their move for Zubimendi in the summer.

The report cites Wolves’ “financial issues” as reasons that they may wish to sell, suggesting that other clubs might want to “capitalise” on those alleged concerns, but notes that it would take a “big offer” to prise him away from Molinuex.

In other news, Wolves are set to sign on-loan striker Jorgen Strand Larsen on a permanent basis after the forward triggered a purchase clause worth £23m with former club Celta Vigo.