Report: Man United planning January move to sign Wolves star | OneFootball

Man Utd Map Out Midfield Reinforcements as Wolves Pair Enter the Frame

Manchester United’s long search for midfield clarity continues to evolve, and the latest developments underline just how broad and complex the club’s recruitment picture has become. According to ESPN’s Rob Dawson and reporting highlighted by GiveMeSport, United have added Wolves midfielder Andre to a growing list of targets that already includes Joao Gomes, Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson.

This is a club at a crossroads. Performances under Ruben Amorim have shown flashes of ideas and structure, yet the squad’s imbalance remains stark. Planning for the future, particularly in midfield, is not a luxury but a necessity.

Wolves Duo Draw United Interest

Dawson’s report confirms United have scouted both Andre and Gomes, as well as Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller and Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher. It paints a picture of a recruitment department determined to widen its lens, identifying qualities that fit Amorim’s intense, possession driven blueprint. United are expected to invest significantly next season, with a midfielder and a wing back priority positions.

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Andre, described as “magnificent” by sections of the Brazilian media, has quickly become central to Wolves’ tactical structure. Signed from Fluminense in 2024, he has featured in all 12 Premier League games this season. His statistical impact is notable too, with GiveMeSport emphasising his 90.7 per cent pass completion rate, ranking him eighth among all players in the division. That combination of assurance, tenacity and technical calm makes him precisely the kind of player United have lacked for long spells.

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Midfield Decisions Loom Large at Old Trafford

United’s long term planning is complicated by uncertainty surrounding both Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro. Mainoo’s future continues to attract speculation from abroad, while Casemiro’s contract situation is approaching a crucial point. The club want to retain the Brazilian but on reduced terms due to his current wage level.

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This dynamic increases the likelihood of United moving for at least one midfielder, potentially two. GiveMeSport add that Andre and Gomes are seen as potential long term options who could succeed Casemiro while offering a different technical profile.

Wolves, meanwhile, hold a position of strength. Andre is tied to a long term deal until 2029 and has become a cornerstone of their midfield. Any approach would require a significant commitment from United.

Edwards Responds to Gomes Speculation

Wolves head coach Rob Edwards was asked directly about suggestions that United had made progress on a move for Gomes. He was unequivocal, stating he is “not aware” of any approaches for the 24 year old. It is a familiar refrain at this stage of the season, but it also reflects Wolves’ confidence in their ability to retain key assets.

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For United, the scouting is not idle work. Amorim’s system demands players who can dictate tempo, absorb pressure and shift the ball with purpose. Andre and Gomes tick boxes that have remained empty too long at Old Trafford.

The real question is timing. January could provide opportunity, but it is far more likely that next summer becomes the decisive moment. By then, United will need clarity on their midfield identity and the personnel tasked with shaping it.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Manchester United supporters know that United have never truly replaced the consistency, leadership and control once provided by Michael Carrick. Every window since has felt like a patchwork solution, a short term fix or a bet on potential. That is why the links to Andre and Gomes will draw attention.

Andre’s numbers, especially that 90.7 per cent pass accuracy, offer something fans have wanted for years: calmness. United have spent too long with midfields that panic under pressure or lose shape when the game demands control. Andre’s confidence on the ball, along with the physicality needed to survive in Premier League battles, feels like a refreshing prospect rather than another gamble.

There is also a growing acceptance among supporters that Casemiro’s career is shifting into its final phase at the top level. They admire his influence and big game pedigree, but the club must plan forward. Seeing the club look at long term options, rather than scrambling for late window solutions, offers a rare glimmer of strategy.

Gomes, too, excites fans because of his relentlessness. He plays the game the way supporters want United to play: intense, brave and constantly engaged.

Yet fans are realistic. Wolves are strong sellers, not eager ones. Any deal will be expensive, and United’s new structure must prove it can execute transfers with efficiency that has been missing in recent years.

Still, for a fan base desperate for identity, this is encouraging. United finally appear to be identifying players who can shape a team rather than simply fill a role.