United handed golden lifeline to snatch “super talent” as Atletico stall on 35m deal – opinion

An interesting transfer opportunity has just opened up for Manchester United, one they cannot afford to miss. In the last few months leading up to this summer transfer window, midfielders have consistently been linked with moves to Old Trafford. Indeed, it was the worst-kept secret: United’s biggest transfer need this summer was to bolster their engine room. Casemiro’s summer exit was confirmed way too early, while Manuel Ugarte‘s departure is anticipated to end his Old Trafford nightmare once and for all. Midfield rebuild The 20-time English champions had several midfield signings to make if they were to field an engine room capable of battling on multiple fronts. Of the many midfielders United were linked with, a deal for Ederson has already been agreed. Attention now turns to the remaining signings needed to complete the midfield overhaul. Tricky midfield transfer chase It has not been straightforward, however. Interest in targets such as Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali has cooled, with United no longer pursuing either deal. Even the Mateus Fernandes chase, currently the priority, is growing complicated, with Tottenham Hotspur muscling in on the race for his services. If not Fernandes, then who? While there is talk of United turning to AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott if the Fernandes deal falls through, another alternative is being overlooked: Joao Gomes. Despite Wolverhampton Wanderers’ struggles last season, Gomes stood out. The midfield destroyer he is; his aggressive tackling and elite ball-winning ability singled him out as one of the Premier League’s finest defensive midfielders. United were heavily linked with his services, but as they waited to make their move at the end of the season, Atletico Madrid came calling. Early May reports confirmed the Spanish heavyweights had agreed personal terms with the midfielder, seemingly spelling the end of United’s hopes. However, with no club-to-club agreement in place, the door remained ajar for anyone willing to try a sensational hijack. For weeks, nothing was said about Gomes to Atletico, but this week, a report from Spain’s Mundo Deportivo hinted at a golden opportunity to hijack a Gomes to Atletico transfer. Atletico Madrid stall on Joao Gomes transfer The Spanish outlet revealed that the deal taking Gomes to the Wanda Metropolitano is currently on hold, explaining that “his situation was contingent on Bernardo Silva joining Atletico, as it was part of the negotiation with both players’ agent, Jorge Mendes. When the former Manchester City player backed out, the deal for the Brazilian from Wolverhampton was put on hold.” Crucially, the report also highlighted that Atletico are unwilling to meet Wolves’ asking price, noting that “in both cases — Gomes and the Morten Hjulmand chase — the fees demanded by their respective clubs exceed €40 million, an amount Atletico is unwilling to pay.” If United can firm up a £35 million offer, the figure Wolves are believed to be willing to accept, they can successfully hijack his move to Spain. Just as they swayed Ederson into snubbing Atletico despite him having already agreed personal terms, the Gomes situation need not be any different. Agreeing on personal terms with the Samba Star, whom Gary O’Neil called “super talent”, should be the easy part. A chance to continue playing in the Premier League should excite him. Gomes could open the door to a marquee midfielder signing Sign Ederson and Gomes for £35 million apiece, and suddenly an £80 million-plus deal for Fernandes becomes affordable, and a genuine midfield rebuild becomes possible. Featured image Naomi Baker via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.