I love Wolves but I will join Man United on one condition – £40m premier league star has already told Man United his main ambition amid transfer links as Casemiro replacement

I love Wolves but I will join Man United on one condition – £40m premier league star has already told Man United his main ambition amid transfer links as Casemiro replacement

Man United have been credited with interest in Wolves midfielder João Gomes ahead of the forthcoming summer transfer window.

Wolves midfielder João Gomes has already outlined his desire to sample the taste of Champions League football amid reports linking him with a move to Manchester United.

The Reds, according to a report by the Mirror, are ‘weighing up’ a move for the Brazilian ahead of this summer’s transfer window. It is claimed he has been identified as a ‘potential replacement’ for Casemiro.

The latter, despite joining United less than two years ago, could be sold this summer. He has regressed this season, failing to hit the standards he consistently reached last term.

Turning 32 last month, it is both clear and obvious that United need fresher legs at the base of their midfield. Following the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo this season, they need an elite-level destroyer to provide him with the license to strut his stuff and make progressive runs without fear of leaving his team exposed.

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Gomes, who is 23, has developed impressively since joining Wolves from Flamengo in January 2023, making 39 appearances for the club so far. He has played 28 times his term, chipping in with two goals.

As a result of his development, which includes him having won the third-highest number of tackles (83) in the Premier League this season, it is hardly surprising that United are being linked with his signature.

However, if the Reds are to stand any chance of signing him this forthcoming summer, they will most probably need to include Champions League football within their sales pitch.

Prior to joining Wolves, Gomes expressed his craving to play in Europe’s premier club competition, though he cited Liverpool as a club he dreamt of playing for.

Speaking in the summer of 2022, Gomes, as quoted by ESPN Brazil, said: “Liverpool is a team I would play for. I have the greatest desire to play. Playing in the Champions League is my biggest dream and that of my family, my biggest dream in football.”

With 10 Premier League games remaining this season, United’s Champions League hopes for next season are currently out of their hands. They are nine points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and are six shy of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

However, the Premier League could be granted five places for next season’s new-look Champions League, meaning a fifth-placed finish could be enough to secure qualification.

United are desperate to qualify for the competition because of the financial benefits and the way in which that can support them in their battle to remain within the guidelines of Financial Fair Play.

Furthermore, participation in the Champions League will allow them to attract players of a better calibre.

Ahead of the end of last season, as United closed in on a return to European football’s top table, manager Erik ten Hag highlighted that as a key element within their recruitment plans.

“All the big players want to play in the Champions League,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports in May last year. “Manchester United is a big club. In the period I’ve been here, I’ve noticed everyone wants to play for Manchester United.

“Now it looks like we are in the Champions League, there is even more interest because they know we are in the Champions League and the Premier League at a high level. So, qualification will be important.

“In the Champions League you face the best teams across Europe, the best managers, in the best stadiums.

“For the players, they face the best players and [as a team] you are in a better league schedule, that is also important.

“It’s very important for the rebuild of this club that we are in the Champions League.”