Manchester United-linked Joao Gomes’ move to Atletico Madrid has stalled, according to Ben Jacobs.
An agreement has been in place since March between the player and Atleti, though the latter are now believed to be working on alternative targets – despite not informing Wolverhampton Wanderers of such.
Joao Gomes' move to Atletico Madrid has stalled despite an agreement being reached between the clubs.
Wolves working on the assumption Atletico Madrid have moved on to other targets despite not being formally informed the deal is off.🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/UJ03fOrW7c
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 10, 2026
United hold long-standing interest in Gomes
United have been credited as one of Gomes’ admirers on numerous occasions before the end of the 2025/2026 campaign, particularly after Wolves’ relegation was set in stone.
Lucas 1:37 Porque para Deus nada é impossível 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/iHn4AHwNG0
— João Gomes (@GomesOficial08) December 31, 2025
The 25-year-old is expected to depart Molineux one way or another in order to secure a switch back to a top division, so it remains to be seen if United will revive their interest amid their ongoing search for proven and affordable midfielders – especially after they have pulled out of their deal for Ederson.
Gomes has three-and-a-half years’ worth of Premier League experience under his belt, which will attract INEOS, given how impactful both Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were last term.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| 116 | 7 | 3 | 9,134 |
Gomes’ Premier League record
INEOS swiftly get Andrey Santos deal over the lie
In the meantime, Andrey Santos’ medical was completed at Carrington yesterday ahead of his switch from Chelsea.
INEOS have agreed to pay £48 million upfront while pledging an additional £2 million in achievable add-ons, and he will sign a deal until 2031, plus the option of an additional 12 months.
Chelsea paid £17.5m for the six-capped Brazilian, who missed out on a World Cup call-up, when signing him from Vasco de Gama in January 2023.
He has since enjoyed a successful loan spell with Strasbourg and spent five months with Nottingham Forest before being recalled due to a lack of game time.
Santos has struggled to secure minutes at Stamford Bridge due to Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, both of whom were £100m+ investments, being favoured ahead of him.
Their lack of European football for the upcoming season means appearances will be even harder to come by.
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