Atletico Madrid close in on €45 million deal for Manchester United midfield target

It’s widely known that Manchester United are looking to complete a massive overhaul of their midfield this summer, with £150 million set aside for recruitment.

For that, the club are looking to spend £80 million on a replacement for Casemiro who is set to leave the club this summer, and £50 million on replacing Manuel Ugarte.

The remaining £20 million is set to sign a third midfielder, being a back-up option to provide further squad depth.

As such, The Red Devils have a whole host of targets for each option, however one man may have to be removed from their list of options as Atletico Madrid are close to signing him.

Alex Crook has taken to X to reveal that Atletico Madrid are closing in on a £39 million (€45 million) move for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes.

The midfielder was first looked at by United as an opportunity signing during the winter transfer window, but nothing materialised from it.

Alongside Joao Gomes, United were also looking at Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, who ultimately moved to Tottenham Hotspur, with Gomes now appearing to be a replacement for the former England international.

The La Liga giants are in a strong position for the midfielder as well, given that Wolves have been relegated from the Premier League, meaning a sale is significantly more likely than them retaining their star man.

For United, Gomes was never one of their top priorities to replace Casemiro, as Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali are considered for that role.

However, the former Brazil international is expected to have been an option to succeed Manuel Ugarte.

That said, the deal between Atletico and Wolves isn’t complete yet, meaning there is still a chance The Red Devils could swoop in if they want the 25-year-old.