Fabrizio Romano: Man United could move to sign Premier League midfielder in January | OneFootball

Man Utd Weigh January Move as Gomes Emerges as Market Opportunity

Midfield Questions Framing United’s Next Steps

Manchester United’s plans for 2026 have long included significant midfield reconstruction, yet Fabrizio Romano’s latest update adds sharper definition to the short term landscape. United want one, possibly two or three midfield additions over the next year, and while many of their preferred targets are unlikely to become available mid season, the club’s recruitment team are exploring more realistic January solutions. Romano notes that “Joao Gomes is one of the names under consideration at Manchester United,” shaping a picture of a club balancing long term ambition with immediate practicality.

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Gomes Viewed as Opportunity, Not Priority

The Wolves midfielder has attracted growing attention, in part because Wolves sit bottom of the Premier League with just two points, already nine adrift of safety. Their minus 20 goal difference underlines the fragility of their position and fuels the belief that financial decisions could be forced upon them sooner than expected. TEAMtalk recently reported that Gomes “would jump at the chance to join the Red Devils,” and that a bid between £40m and £50m could bring Wolves to the negotiating table if relegation threatens to reshape their plans.

Even so, Romano emphasises that United see Gomes differently to their elite 2026 targets. He is appreciated, but represents what Romano calls “an opportunity if Wolves decide to let the player go in January,” not someone viewed in the same bracket as Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton or Elliot Anderson. Another of Romano’s lines sets the tone clearly: “He’s not considered an absolute priority.”

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Ambitions Remain Focused on Long Term Planning

United’s broader strategy is pointed towards high ceiling midfielders who can anchor their next cycle. Whether Brighton, Crystal Palace or Nottingham Forest can be convinced to sell mid season remains doubtful, leaving United in a familiar bind. The January window offers chances, not certainties, and Gomes’ willingness to join even “without European football this season” could make him a useful short term solution if the club opts for flexibility over ideal conditions.

Opportunity or Patience?

That remains the core tension. Gomes could be pursued if Wolves weaken their stance, but United may prefer to wait until summer when their top tier targets become more attainable. For now, Gomes sits in the margin between need and strategy, useful enough to tempt, not vital enough to prioritise.

Our View, EPL Index Analysis

For Manchester United supporters, this update lands somewhere between cautious encouragement and familiar frustration. The idea of signing Joao Gomes appeals on a basic level. He is energetic, aggressive, technically tidy and has the physical presence the midfield has lacked for seasons. Many fans would welcome someone who can press, recover and compete consistently in transitions, a weak point exposed repeatedly in the Premier League and Europe.

Yet supporters also recognise the nuance Romano presents. Gomes would strengthen the squad, but he does not reshape the midfield alone. Fans have known for months that United’s long term plan hinges on higher ceiling profiles like Baleba or Wharton, players capable of becoming pillars rather than reinforcements. The thought of opting for a convenient January signing instead of pushing for those long term solutions triggers understandable hesitation.

There is, however, realism. Supporters know this squad needs depth and reliability, not just marquee talent. Given Wolves’ precarious position and Gomes’ clear willingness to join the club, many fans will see the logic in seizing an opportunity. A player “very keen on a move to Man Utd” is not something supporters ignore lightly.

The core sentiment among fans is straightforward. If United can secure their elite targets in the summer, Gomes should not block that path. But as a January reinforcement, especially in a season where midfield injuries and inconsistency have hindered progress, he represents a smart and pragmatic addition. Should the club choose ambition and opportunity together, supporters will back it.