Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes is on the verge of joining Aston Villa in a deal worth £38m, as the Brazilian prepares to leave Molineux following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
The Deal
Gomes has already left Wolves’ pre-season training camp in Portugal and is expected to undergo a medical at Villa Park on Thursday. The transfer fee is structured as £34m up front with an additional £4m in performance-related add-ons.
The 23-year-old Brazil international will become one of Villa’s key signings this summer as Unai Emery reshapes his squad ahead of the new campaign.
Why Villa Need Gomes
Aston Villa have been forced into the transfer market after losing two important midfielders this summer. Youri Tielemans departed for Manchester United in a £35m deal, while Amadou Onana suffered a serious knee injury while playing for Belgium at the World Cup and is not expected to return until 2027.
Gomes offers a box-to-box presence with strong defensive qualities. His ability to win the ball back and drive forward will help fill the void left by both players.
Villa’s Ambitious Summer
The Gomes signing is part of a broader push by Villa to strengthen their squad. The club are also closing in on Swiss international Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for a fee exceeding £50m, which would break Villa’s all-time transfer record.
With Europa League football on the horizon, Emery is building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.
Gomes’ Time at Wolves
Gomes joined Wolves from Brazilian side Flamengo in 2023 and quickly established himself as a regular starter. He made 130 appearances across three seasons, scoring seven goals, including one against Aston Villa last campaign.
He played 41 times last season as Wolves finished bottom of the Premier League and were relegated to the Championship.
What Else Was on the Table
Atletico Madrid had shown interest in signing Gomes but did not manage to finalise a deal, leaving the door open for Villa to complete the transfer.
What to Watch
Gomes will be expected to slot straight into Emery’s midfield alongside Boubacar Kamara. With Villa also pursuing Manzambi, the club’s midfield could look entirely different by the time the season kicks off in August. Wolves, meanwhile, face the challenge of replacing one of their most consistent performers as they prepare for life in the Championship.
