Man Utd locked in €45m battle for next summer signing

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Manchester United have learned Newcastle United have joined the race to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers star Joao Gomes, according to The i Paper.

Brazilian outlet O Globo reported last Friday that Man Utd were weighing up a surprise move for Gomes after pulling out of a deal to sign Ederson.

The same publication claims Gomes, who had been close to joining Atletico Madrid this summer, is valued at around €45million (£38.3m) by Championship side Wolves.

STATS

João Gomes

M (C)

Wolves

João Gomes

M (C)

Wolves

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 41

  Games

• 1

  Goals

• 3

  Assists

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But now The i Paper understands Newcastle have become firm admirers of Gomes as they prioritise signing a new midfielder ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Newcastle appear to have missed out on SC Freiburg star Johan Manzambi after The Athletic revealed on Monday he has chosen to join Aston Villa.

The same publication claims the Magpies had agreed a fee with Bundesliga side Freiburg, but they did not have an agreement with the 20-year-old - which left them vulnerable to a hijack from Unai Emery’s Villa.

Newcastle are also running the rule over Gomes’ Brazil compatriot Danilo Santos, according to The i Paper, as they look to bounce back from the Manzambi blow.

Toon sporting director Ross Wilson is well aware of Santos midfielder Danilo, with the pair having previously rubbed shoulders at Nottingham Forest.

Man Utd close to signing Tielemans after Andrey Santos capture

Man Utd meanwhile are pressing ahead with their own plans to strengthen their midfield ahead of their first full season under Michael Carrick.

The Red Devils announced the signing of Andrey Santos on Monday, with the 22-year-old arriving from Chelsea for a fee in the region of €58m (£50m), according to various sources.

The Athletic reported on Monday that United are also set to trigger a €41m (£35m) release clause to sign Aston Villa ace Youri Tielemans.

Belgium captain Tielemans has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders over the last seven-and-a-half seasons in England.

The 29-year-old spent four-and-a-half years with Leicester City, scoring the winner in their FA Cup final victory over Chelsea in 2021.

STATS

Youri Tielemans

M, DM (C)

A. Villa

Youri Tielemans

M, DM (C)

A. Villa

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 35

  Games

• 2

  Goals

• 7

  Assists

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Tielemans then joined Villa on a free transfer in 2023 and has scored 10 goals in 134 appearances for the Villa Park club.

He played a key role in them winning the Europa League season, breaking the deadlock in the 3-0 win over Manzambi’s Freiburg in the final.

United looked set to sign Ederson after agreeing a €41m (£35m) deal with Serie A outfit Atalanta in June.

However, BBC Sport reported on Monday that the deal is off for the time being after an issue showed up during the 27-year-old’s medical.