Aston Villa seal £35m Joao Gomes deal as Tielemans replacement

Aston Villa have moved quickly to fill the midfield void left by Youri Tielemans’ departure, agreeing a deal worth around £35 million for Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes. Unai Emery’s side beat Atletico Madrid to the signature of the 25-year-old Brazilian, who still needs to pass a medical but is expected to complete the move shortly. insider confirmed the agreement, stating a verbal deal is in place for a €40m fee plus €5m in add-ons, with Wolves authorising the medical. Tielemans left Villa Park after Manchester United triggered his £35m release clause, leaving an unexpected gap in central midfield. Villa have now acted decisively to bring in Gomes, who will become their second signing of the window after Modou Keba Cissa arrived from LASK for £4.5m. Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi is also close to joining. The club’s transfer business is far from finished. With Amadou Onana sidelined by a serious knee injury, Villa are expected to pursue another physical ball-winner in midfield. Gomes is the latest piece of the puzzle as Emery prepares his squad for Champions League football.