Liverpool supporters would love to see their team add more bite to the midfield after a season of seeing the Reds’ overrun in the middle of the pitch.
Ryan Gravenberch and, in particular, Alexis Mac Allister, did not deliver at all, often being far too easy to play through, which directly contributed in Liverpool losing matches.
Above all, fans want a more defensive-minded No. 6 added to the squad, with the Reds failing to properly replace Fabinho since his exit in 2023. So far, it has not looked especially likely that they will correct that this summer, but after Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes saw the plug pulled on a move to Atletico Madrid, the door has opened for Liverpool to swoop in.
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Gomes to Atletico Madrid is off
It had looked likely that Gomes would leave Wolves ever since their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed last season.
Though Liverpool were linked with a £60m move, Atletico Madrid quickly became favourites, and the Brazilian was widely expected to join the La Liga side in a €40m deal. However, as ESPN Brasil now report, the transfer is now ‘very close to being abandoned.’
Atletico are set to sign Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand, in a move which will reportedly directly affect the chances of Gomes arriving.
Having previously expected him to move to Spain, Gomes is suddenly available once again, and with Wolves clearly open to negotiating – and the player keen to go – the door has opened for Liverpool to make their move.
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Gomes has confirmed his interest in a career at Liverpool
Back in 2022, Gomes was still a young player learning the ropes at Flamengo. A starter for the Rio side from a young age, it was always clear that a career in Europe would await the midfielder.
Looking ahead to that dream, Gomes admitted that he would definitely be open to joining Liverpool four years ago.
“Liverpool are a team I would play for,” he said. “Playing in the Champions League is my biggest dream and that of my family, my biggest dream in football.”
Gomes could have done that with Atletico, but he will also play at Europe’s top table if he joins Liverpool this summer.
Premier League-proven, available for a relatively good price, a good age and ready to add steel to the Reds’ leaky midfield, Gomes looks to tick all the boxes for Andoni Iraola this summer.
Atletico may yet come back in, but that looks unlikely, and with Gomes surely leaving Wolves, he may yet see his dream of representing Liverpool come to fruition.
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