United turn to Joao Gomes after calling off Ederson deal

Manchester United’s agreement to sign Ederson is now up in the air following his medical on Friday.

As a result, INEOS have begun sizing up alternative targets, one of which is Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes.

Ederson to United: The state of play

United’s finalisation of Ederson’s signing, as well as the coverage surrounding it, has been incredibly perplexing – to the point that fans were already beginning to question whether the transfer would be completed before reports came out on Friday.

🚨⚠️ EXCL: Éderson to Manchester United, deal OFF and considered as collapsed as Man Utd informed Atalanta.

Atalanta believe Éderson is 100% fit and will welcome the midfielder back as part of their squad, as Man United changed their plans.

Éderson won’t join #MUFC. pic.twitter.com/8e5YD25BEC

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2026

There are now contrasting claims from a number of outlets, with United seemingly wanting to save face over the fact that they’ve pulled out of the deal at the very final stage.

#MUFC sources denying Ederson deal is off. Let's see.

— Alex Crook ⚽️🎙 (@alex_crook) July 10, 2026

A £38 million package had been agreed with Atalanta, and the Brazilian jetted off to the World Cup with the expectation that when he returned, he would become a United player.

However, issues appear to have flagged up in Ederson’s medical, which have prompted United to U-turn.

INEOS identify Joao Gomes as suitable Ederson alternative

In the meantime, Brazilian journalists Fred Gomes and Cahe Mota now claim that United have turned their attention to Gomes.

United desiste de Éderson e sinaliza interesse em João Gomes; Liverpool também faz contato

Com @cahemota 🤝https://t.co/Z7hIKO45K0

— Fred Gomes (@fredgomes1985) July 10, 2026

Liverpool have also signalled their interest, and both clubs have Champions League football to offer the 25-year-old.

Gomes’ anticipated move to Atletico Madrid has stalled this week, despite personal terms being in place since March.

It’s thought that Atleti are now, like United, scouring the market for suitable replacement options.

Lucas 1:37 Porque para Deus nada é impossível 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/iHn4AHwNG0

— João Gomes (@GomesOficial08) December 31, 2025

Gomes has racked up 116 Premier League appearances in the three-and-a-half years he’s spent at Molineux, where he’s preparing to depart in the aftermath of their relegation and 20th-placed finish.