Newcastle are big admirers of Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes | OneFootball

Newcastle United have registered a strong interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes, identifying the combative 25-year-old as a key target to strengthen their midfield.

After suffering the setback of losing Swiss prodigy Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa in a late transfer hijack, Newcastle must quickly turn to alternatives while continuing to fend off Arsenal’s persistent interest in club captain Bruno Guimaraes. Gomes’ tireless, high-intensity profile has placed him at the top of manager Eddie Howe’s shortlist.

Nicknamed “The Pitbull” during his time at Flamengo, Gomes excels at breaking up play, carrying the ball forward, and covering ground.

Even during a gruelling 2025/26 campaign where Wolves finished bottom of the Premier League, his quality stood out.

The ‘outstanding’ Brazilian was close to completing a move to Atletico Madrid earlier in the window, but the deal collapsed following a high-profile dispute between the Spanish club and the player’s representatives.

This breakdown has reopened the door for Premier League clubs, with Manchester United and Liverpool also monitoring his situation.

Wolves are keen to sanction a sale and have set a firm €40 million valuation to approve the player’s departure.

For Newcastle, meeting this price is well within their summer budget. With £100 million raised from Sandro Tonali’s sale to Tottenham, the Magpies have the financial power to act swiftly.

Alongside Gomes, Newcastle also maintain an interest in Botafogo’s Danilo Santos, who has revived his career since returning to Brazil following a challenging spell with Nottingham Forest.