Liverpool handed boost in the race for £38m midfielder after Fabrizio Romano’s update

Liverpool handed boost in the race for £38m midfielder after Fabrizio Romano’s update Liverpool Eye Joao Gomes to Strengthen Midfield Options Under Andoni Iraola Liverpool’s summer rebuild looks set to include a serious look at Joao Gomes, with the Wolves midfielder emerging as a strong option for a side that needs greater protection and intensity in the centre of the pitch. The 25-year-old Brazilian has attracted attention after fresh reports indicated that Liverpool and Manchester United are both monitoring his situation. With Atletico Madrid no longer pursuing a deal, the path has opened for Premier League clubs to test Wolves’ resolve. For Liverpool, the interest makes plenty of sense. The squad already contains proven quality in Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but balance has remained a recurring issue. Too often last season, the midfield looked short of a natural ball-winner, particularly when Gravenberch was asked to operate with more attacking freedom. Joao Gomes fits Liverpool midfield need That tactical shift created a visible gap in front of the defence. Mac Allister has the intelligence and work rate to fill spaces, though asking him to handle the bulk of the defensive running week after week does not feel like the best long-term solution. A specialist in that role would give Liverpool a much firmer platform. Joao Gomes appears to fit that requirement well. His game is built on aggression, recovery speed and a willingness to engage in duels all over the pitch. During the 2025/26 Premier League season, he ranked in the 90th percentile for duels won, posting 7.18 per 90. Those numbers point to a midfielder who relishes defensive responsibility and can cope with the physical demands of England’s top flight. At Wolves, much of his work came in difficult circumstances. Playing in a struggling side often means long spells without the ball, repeated transitions and constant pressure from opposition attacks. In that environment, Gomes developed a reputation as a midfielder capable of breaking up play and dragging his team up the pitch. Press resistance could transform build-up play There is another part of his profile that should appeal strongly to Anfield decision-makers. Gomes is not simply a destroyer. He also shows an impressive ability to carry the ball away from danger, ride pressure and turn defensive moments into attacking opportunities. That quality can be especially valuable in a Liverpool side that has, at times, struggled to play through the press cleanly. A midfielder who can win the ball and then escape the first wave of pressure changes the rhythm of a game. It allows full-backs and forwards to receive possession in better areas, and it reduces the burden on deeper playmakers to do every part of the job themselves. For a team aiming to re-establish control in big matches, that matters. His passing numbers may not immediately stand out, though context is important. Wolves’ broader difficulties, and the lack of consistent movement ahead of him, naturally affected those metrics. In a stronger side with more structure and more reliable options between the lines, his distribution could look far more effective. £38m fee could make deal attractive The reported £38m valuation also places Joao Gomes in an intriguing bracket. In the current market, that fee for a Premier League-proven midfielder with his age profile, athletic level and tactical upside could represent strong value. Liverpool need more steel, more coverage and more security in midfield. Gomes offers all three, and he brings enough mobility on the ball to suggest he could do far more than simply sit in front of the back four. If Iraola wants greater energy and resilience at the heart of his side, this is a link that feels easy to understand. With the race now expected to widen, Liverpool’s interest in Joao Gomes may soon develop into something more concrete. For a team searching for midfield authority again, his name is one worth watching closely.