Joao Gomes Set for £38m Aston Villa Move as Wolves Star Heads to Birmingham
Aston Villa have agreed a £38m deal with Wolves for midfielder Joao Gomes, who is set to undergo a medical after leaving the club’s Portugal training camp.
Aston Villa are closing in on their second major midfield addition of the summer after agreeing a deal worth around £38m for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes.
The Brazilian has already left Wolves’ pre-season training camp in Portugal and is flying back to England to complete his medical.
The Deal
According to widely reported details, Villa have struck a verbal agreement worth up to €45m (£38m), structured as an initial €40m fee plus €5m in add-ons.
Wolves have accepted the package and authorised Gomes to proceed with a medical, with personal terms not expected to hold up the transfer.
Gomes made the move from Wolves’ training base in Portugal straight to the airport, underlining how quickly both clubs want the deal finalised.
Why Villa Need Him
Unai Emery’s side have been forced into reinforcing their midfield after two significant blows:
Youri Tielemans completed a £35m move to Manchester United after United triggered his release clause.
Amadou Onana is facing a long spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury with Belgium at the World Cup.
Gomes offers an immediate, proven Premier League alternative.
Known for his defensive intensity, pressing and ability to recover possession in central areas, he’s expected to slot in alongside Boubacar Kamara or new signing Johan Manzambi in Emery’s midfield.
Gomes’ Wolves Career
The 25-year-old joined Wolves from Flamengo in January 2023 for around €18.7m and quickly became one of the club’s most important players, racking up 130 appearances.
Last season alone he featured 41 times as Wolves finished bottom of the Premier League table.
Ironically, he was on the scoresheet against Villa last season as Wolves won 2-0 at Molineux.
Manchester United and Liverpool Miss Out
The move represents a blow for both Manchester United and Liverpool, who had been credited with interest in Gomes.
United were reportedly using him as an alternative option after missing out on other midfield targets, while Liverpool’s interest cooled as Villa moved decisively to secure the deal.
Atletico Madrid had also been credited with interest earlier in the window but failed to finalise a move.
Villa’s Busy Summer Continues
Gomes’ arrival is just one piece of a hectic transfer window at Villa Park.
The club are also closing in on a club-record deal for Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi, while goalkeeper Emi Martinez continues to be linked with a Juventus move and striker Ollie Watkins remains a target for Fenerbahce.
Villa are navigating this activity under continued financial scrutiny following past breaches of UEFA’s financial regulations.
With Gomes set to become Emery’s latest midfield addition, Villa look intent on building real depth and physicality through the middle of the park ahead of the new season.
