Recent reports from the Express state that Manchester United are keen on signing Flamengo midfielder Joao Gomes in the upcoming transfer window as Erik Ten Hag looks set to add to his options at the centre of the park.
As per the report, the Red Devils are expected to send two officials to Brazil to keep a close eye on the youngster. Flamengo won’t mind selling their academy graduate for a fee upwards of £30 million in a straight cash purchase, so there is potential for an agreement that suits all the concerned parties.
However, Manchester United are exploring the possibility of using Andreas Pereira as a part of a player-plus-cash deal to sign Gomes. Pereira, who joined Flamengo on a loan deal last year, is expected to return to Old Trafford next month. The Belgian midfielder was supposed to sign for the Rio de Janeiro based club for a fee in the region of £8.5 million, but the deal broke down because the player failed to prove his worth over the course of his stay. The 26-year-old midfielder has been often kept out of starting eleven because of Gomes’ brilliant form over the past few months.
Nonetheless, a swap deal should get the Brazilian club interested.
Having come through the ranks at Flamengo, Joao Gomes made his debut for the senior team in 2020. He established himself as a regular starter in no time, scoring two goals in 37 appearances across all competitions last season. Even this term, he has turned plenty of heads with his mesmerizing performances at the centre of the park.
The number 35 has managed to put up some impressive numbers on the board this term – averaging 4.1 tackles, one interception, 0.4 clearances, 2.6 blocks, and 1.3 long balls per 90 minutes in the Brazilian top flight. The 21-year-old is primarily a deep-lying midfielder, but he can also play as a box-to-box midfielder in the hour of need.
What Will He Add To Their Side?
Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard are all likely to leave the club in the summer transfer window when their contracts expire. Besides, the Mc-Fred double pivot has let the team down on countless occasions. There are way too many holes to fill to bring this dysfunctional side back on track.
Under such circumstances, Gomes’ arrival at The Theatre of Dreams will undeniably strengthen Ten Hag’s midfield department, and he could potentially be one of the many pieces the Dutch tactician needs to stabilize United’s midfield proceedings.
At 21, the Rio de Janeiro-born midfielder has his best years ahead of him, so it won’t be entirely surprising if the board breaks the bank to secure his signature.
(Stats from WhoScored)
