Joao Gomes’ Liverpool dream crushed as Man Utd emerge top choice

Robin Bairner

• 18 Mar 2026 08:42 GMT
• 4 min read

Analysis

Joao Gomes is at the heart of a transfer battle between Manchester United and Liverpool, but the Wolves midfielder has been told to follow his head to Old Trafford and not his heart to Anfield.

Both Premier League giants are expected to be in the market for multiple central midfielders this summer, with an overhaul of both squads likely.

United, in particular, are crying out for more options in this area of the park, while they will also see Casemiro depart the club when his contract expires.

Current ETV

João Gomes

M (C)

Wolves

João Gomes

M (C)

Wolves

€51M

ETV Range

€45.9M - €56.1M

View full profile

The Red Devils have been linked with a string of high-profile options, including Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba, but Gomes would represent a lower-cost alternative, especially with Wolves destined to drop out of the Premier League.

They are now stepping up their interest in the player ahead of the transfer window – but so too are Liverpool, according to TeamTalk.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested, but it appears the two great rivals are leading the way.

‘Great desire’ to play for Liverpool

Gomes has previously spoken out about his dream to play for Liverpool.

Back in 2022, when asked about a move to the Premier League, he said: “Liverpool is a team I would play for. I have a great desire to play there.”

Man Utd are Joao Gomes’ best option

The 25-year-old has been told to ignore his heart and instead join Manchester United by data analytics firm SciSports, which comprehensively recommends the Old Trafford club to the midfielder via its Career Advice tool.

Using an algorithm that ranks clubs based on various factors, including potential development, game time, playing style and formation, SciSports provides each team a Club Fit score. The higher this figure, the higher the likelihood of success for a move.

Man Utd score a very impressive 79 on this front, dragged down only by playing style.

The Red Devils are rated as the best alternative in the Premier League to Wolves for Joao Gomes, with Newcastle coming next on 71. They are way out in front of any of their domestic rivals.

Liverpool, meanwhile, score a very disappointing 55, suggesting that a big-money move to Anfield would be a disaster. While there are modest development opportunities for him on Merseyside, Arne Slot’s side otherwise score poorly across the board.

Man Utd seek to repeat Cunha deal

When it comes to signing the speedy midfielder, Man Utd have a certain advantage in that they already boast a working relationship with Wolves. Last season, they signed Matheus Cunha from the Black Country side.

Joao Gomes has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €51 million, but in that Cunha deal last summer, United showed they were willing to pay a premium to sign players with Premier League experience. In splashing €74m on the Brazil international, they paid around €12m more than his valuation, but so far its proven money well spent.

Now Cunha and Gomes could be hooking up again at Old Trafford in what has the makings of a promising deal.