92-app Premier League midfielder keen to join Man Utd in January – But is he an upgrade on Casemiro? | OneFootball

Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes is reportedly willing to jump ship in the middle of the season and sign for Manchester United.

Although ESPN’s Marc Ogden insists that the Red Devils won’t acquire a new midfielder before the summer, other sources continue to link the club with potential January reinforcements.

In recent days, Gomes has emerged as a transfer target for Man Utd. The Brazilian is a Flamengo youth product who joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2023, and has established himself as a protagonist in the middle of the park. He currently has 92 Premier League appearances under his belt, which have yielded six goals and two assists.

Joao Gomes wants to join Man United in January?

According to Record (via the Daily Mail), Gomes is open to joining Man Utd in the middle of the season. The 24-year-old perhaps considers this opportunity an escape rope away from Wolves’ ongoing woes.

The Moulineux side appears to be facing an inevitable relegation, having only collected two points from their first 11 Premier League outings.

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Gomes would thus follow in the footsteps of his compatriot and former Wolves teammate, Matheus Cunha, who made the switch to Old Trafford last June. Man Utd triggered the attacker’s release clause by paying £62.5 million.

However, Gomes should be slightly less costly, as Wolverhampton would accept an offer worth £44 million, at least according to the Portuguese newspaper.

Man Utd must not make a hasty decision on Gomes

Despite being almost 10 years younger than Casemiro, one might wonder if Gomes would be a guaranteed upgrade on the veteran.

Interestingly, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has recently waxed lyrical on the former Real Madrid star, who has become an automatic starter for his club and country once more. On the other hand, Gomes hasn’t made an appearance for the Selecao since the appointment of the decorated manager.

The Flamengo youth product may have been impeded by Wolves’ struggles, but perhaps United would be wise to wait until the end of the season before bolstering their midfield ranks, as they have the chance to decide between Gomes and other candidates who could be more suitable, the likes of Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba.