Man Utd make contact over surprise €45m move after Ederson transfer call

Manchester United have opened talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers over a potential €45m (£38.3m) move for midfielder Joao Gomes, according to reports in Brazil. The Red Devils have made midfield reinforcement a priority ahead of the 2026-27 Premier League campaign. United were close to signing Atalanta’s Ederson in June after agreeing a €41m (£35m) fee, but that deal fell through following an issue during the Brazilian’s medical, per insider and Brazilian outlet O Globo. O Globo now reports that Michael Carrick’s side have turned their attention to Gomes, a Brazil international with 10 caps. The 25-year-old joined Wolves from Flamengo in 2023 and has made 130 appearances, scoring eight goals. Gomes was previously on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid after Wolves’ relegation from the Premier League last season, but that move also collapsed. O Globo claims Atletico became frustrated with Gomes’ agent, Jorge Mendes, over a separate pursuit of Bernardo Silva, who eventually joined Real Madrid after his Manchester City contract expired, prompting Atletico to withdraw from negotiations for Gomes. United have now contacted Wolves to explore a deal for the midfielder. The Red Devils have suffered several setbacks in their attempts to sign at least two central midfielders this summer, missing out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, who joined Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur respectively for €136m (£116m) and €99m (£85m). They were also keen on Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni, but the Frenchman is reportedly close to a new contract at the Bernabeu. Carrick’s side are, however, expected to finalise a €58m (£50m) deal for Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, according to various sources.