Man Utd add surprise central midfield candidate to five-man transfer shortlist

Manchester United have added Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder João Gomes to a five-man shortlist as part of their long-term midfield rebuild under Rúben Amorim.

The recruitment team have been tracking the 24-year-old closely, viewing him as a player who fits both the club’s stylistic needs and their shift toward younger, high-potential signings.

Gomes has made 14 appearances this season and has now featured more than 100 times for Wolves since his arrival from Flamengo.

His consistency, energy, and defensive profile have stood out even during a difficult campaign for Wolves, with the Brazilian widely regarded as one of their more reliable performers. United see those qualities — especially his tackling output and ball-winning ability — as aligning well with Amorim’s preferred model in midfield.

The Sun reports that Gomes is a surprise candidate that has joined a shortlist of players being watched as they face tough competition from Chelsea and Manchester City for a midfielder. Also included are Conor Gallagher and Carlos Baleba - who United looked at signing last summer, Elliott Anderson at Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton.

While some of those targets may command substantial fees, Gomes is viewed as a more financially realistic option who would not require extensive adaptation to Premier League football.

Despite the interest, Wolves are under no pressure to sell. The midfielder is under contract and remains an important part of the squad’s core, meaning any deal would likely need to wait until next summer.

United are not expected to make an immediate bid but have positioned Gomes as someone who could become a primary target if other options prove difficult or overly expensive.

Gomes has previously spoken of his admiration for Casemiro, and at United he could eventually be seen as a successor to the experienced Brazilian, whose long-term future at Old Trafford remains uncertain. For Amorim, the addition of a hard-working, press-resistant midfielder would be a significant step toward reshaping a United side that has lacked consistency in central areas.

While early in the process, United’s interest in Gomes reflects a broader recruitment shift — prioritising younger, Premier League-ready players who can form the backbone of a new era at Old Trafford.