Atletico Madrid have entered formal negotiations with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the signing of Joao Gomes (25, midfielder). According to reports from Transfer News insider Ben Jacobs, the Spanish giants have prioritised the Brazilian after seeing a deal for Atalanta’s Ederson stall over valuation discrepancies. While Gomes remains a long-term target for Manchester United, the La Liga side’s pivot has cleared a path for the Old Trafford club to resume negotiations for Ederson (26, midfielder), who is valued by the Italian club at between €45m and €50m.
The Ederson and Gomes transfer merry-go-round
The European midfield market has shifted following Atletico Madrid's inability to reach an agreement with Atalanta. As first reported by TEAMtalk, Atletico had reached a verbal agreement on personal terms with Ederson in January, but negotiations failed to progress as the Italian side refused to lower their asking price. This has led Diego Simeone’s side to turn to Gomes, whom they have tracked since the winter window. According to Tribuna, Wolves have valued Gomes at approximately £40 million (€46 million) following their confirmed relegation to the Championship.
Manchester United have capitalised on this stall by making "initial contact" with Atalanta, as reported by FootballTalk. The Premier League club has monitored Ederson since the tenure of former coach Ruben Amorim and views the current situation as an opportunity to secure a primary target without competition from Madrid.
Casemiro departure drives Manchester United midfield rebuild
The pursuit of a high-calibre defensive midfielder is a necessity for INEOS-led United. The club is reportedly preparing for the exit of Casemiro (34), with The Peoples Person reporting that United do not intend to trigger the 12-month extension clause in his contract. Casemiro’s decline in mobility has been a significant tactical hurdle this season; he has struggled to provide the defensive screen required in a high-pressing system, frequently leading to United conceding high volumes of shots.
While Manchester United signed Manuel Ugarte last summer for £42 million, the Uruguayan has not yet cemented himself as the definitive solution in the pivot. Ederson offers a different profile; he has maintained a high level of consistency in Serie A, contributing to Atalanta's Champions League qualification and showing the physical durability United currently lacks in the centre of the pitch.
Tactical fit and market value
Atalanta are understood to be firm on their valuation. Speaking on the Transfer Talk podcast, David Ornstein of The Athletic noted the inevitability of Ederson's departure:
"One move I expect to happen early is Ederson out of Atalanta: a year to go on contract, no sign of a renewal, and all parties expect him to go."
For Ederson, a €50m fee aligns with recent market trends for elite defensive midfielders, comparable to the €62m fee paid by Paris Saint-Germain for Manuel Ugarte in 2023. For Gomes, the £40m price tag reflects the financial pressure on Wolves following their relegation. Despite Wolves' struggles, Gomes has remained statistically impressive, ranking in the top percentiles for tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.
Negotiation timeline and obstacles
The primary obstacle for Manchester United remains Atalanta's refusal to offer discounts. As reported by TuttoMercatoWeb, the Italian side wants a minimum of €45m up front. United will need to manage their PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) position, likely necessitating the formal sale of Casemiro or other high-earning fringe players before committing to the full €50m package for Ederson.
Atletico Madrid’s talks for Gomes are understood to be moving at a faster pace as they look to secure their squad ahead of pre-season. Should Atletico finalise the Gomes deal quickly, it removes the last major competitor for Ederson's signature, leaving Manchester United in a strong position to negotiate a structured deal with Atalanta over the coming weeks.
