Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement in principle to sign Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a fee of €45 million, according to Sky Sports. The 25-year-old midfielder is expected to complete his move to the Spanish capital next week, with a farewell appearance for Wolves scheduled against Burnley on Sunday.
The transfer comes as Wolves were recently relegated from the Premier League, increasing the likelihood of key players departing Molineux. Atletico had initially pursued Atalanta’s Ederson dos Santos, reportedly reaching an agreement with his agent, but the emergence of interest from Manchester United inflated the potential cost of that deal. This prompted Atletico to shift their focus to Gomes as a more attainable midfield reinforcement.
Gomes has not featured for Brazil’s national team since over a year ago, and was notably left out of the recent World Cup squad. He joined Wolves in 2023 and established himself as a regular in the team, demonstrating his ability to break up play and contribute to attacking transitions. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent the club’s relegation.
Atletico Madrid have been seeking to strengthen their midfield options, with veteran Koke Resurreccion, aged 34, no longer a long-term solution in the centre of the pitch. While Rodrigo de Paul and Koke have formed a consistent partnership, manager Diego Simeone has been looking to integrate younger players such as Pablo Barrios and Johnny Cardoso. Both Barrios and Cardoso have struggled with injuries this season, leaving a void in midfield that Gomes is expected to fill.
The arrival of Gomes will likely provide competition for a starting spot alongside Cardoso, offering Simeone greater tactical flexibility and depth in the middle of the park. The move represents a significant investment for Atletico, signalling their intent to compete at the highest level in La Liga and beyond.
