Manchester United will have to convince Joao Gomes to scrap his ambition of playing for Liverpool if they want to sign him from Wolves. Gomes, 24, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, as the Red Devils target a midfielder in 2026.

United are looking at Premier League-proven stars for the next step of Ruben Amorim's rebuild, having tried to sign Carlos Baleba in the final weeks of the summer transfer window. Alongside Brighton ace Baleba on their shortlist is Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace playmaker Adam Wharton and Gomes.

The Wolves midfielder is in his third full season at Molineux, having joined from Flamengo in January 2023 for around £15million. Gomes signed a new five-year contract with Wolves back in April, but amid their disastrous start to the season - losing nine and drawing two of their opening 11 games - he's been tipped to leave the Premier League's last-placed side.

Reports from Portugal claim that United are plotting a move which Mirror Football understands would likely have to wait until the summer, as Wolves aren't planning to sell any of their key players in January. It wouldn't be the first time that Gomes has played with a target on his back, having been linked with Liverpool while he was at Flamengo and making his feelings on joining them clear.

"Liverpool is a team I would play for," Gomes told ESPN Brazil at the time. "I have the greatest desire to play. Playing in the Champions League is my biggest dream and that of my family, my biggest dream in football."

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United returning to the Champions League for the first time in three seasons could go a long way in convincing the Brazilian to make the move to Old Trafford. Amorim also already has an advocate for Gomes inside his dressing room.

Matheus Cunha played alongside the 24-year-old for both Wolves and Brazil, likening him to United team-mate Casemiro. "He is a bit older now, but I put Casemiro's name there only to show where Joao Gomes could arrive," Cunha said.

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"I think Joao has the possibility to arrive. He is very humble, and he works a lot. The good teams come like a gift when you do that.

"He is unbelievable on the pitch. I feel very secure. I feel like I can lose the ball when I have my midfielders behind me. He played very well for the national team, too."

Gomes wasn't called up to the latest Brazil squad by Carlo Ancelotti after making his debut last year. He'll be hoping to become a driving the force behind Wolves' survival push and boost his chances of playing at the World Cup - and open doors to a big summer move.

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