With just over a month to go until the start of the Premier League season, Aston Villa are poised to make their second signing of the summer transfer window with a swoop for Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes.
Unai Emery is preparing his squad for UEFA Champions League football this season and Gomes looks set to further bolster the ranks for a testing campaign.
The Brazilian is understood to be close to joining the Villans, who are 10/3 for a top-four finish in 2026-27, in a deal that could be worth in the region of £38million.
Gomes heading to Villa
Despite suffering relegation with Wolves last season, Gomes’ performances at Molineux caught the eye.
He only signed a new five-year contract with Wanderers in April 2025, but following their drop into the Championship, speculation has been rife that the midfielder would be on the move.
The 25-year-old now looks set to make the short journey to Villa Park, with Fabrizio Romano claiming a fee of around £38million has been agreed between the clubs.
Experienced midfielder to boost Emery's ranks
Gomes, who could cost Aston Villa over £40million due to add-ons, is expected to have a medical prior to the weekend after leaving Wolves’ pre-season training.
The former Flamengo man - who has 10 caps for his country - has made over 100 Premier League appearances during four seasons at Molineux, scoring eight goals across all competitions.
Wolves, who are 5/1 to win the Championship, will have to move on without the key midfielder.
Gomes, who scored his only goal last season against Villa, had also been a summer target for Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
If the deal is completed as expected in the coming days, Gomes will join the likes of Adam Traore, Joleon Lescott and Andreas Wiemann to play for both Midlands clubs during the Premier League era.
Villa boss will need more transfer backing
Further midfield reinforcements will be vital for Unai Emery this summer, having lost Youri Tielemans to Manchester United this month.
Elsewhere, Douglas Luiz and Harvey Elliott have seen their Villa loan spells come to an end, while Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara are both sidelined by knee injuries.
Emery was recently quoted as saying: "We must teach our supporters the ambition, and if we are not getting there as well, keep balance."
Manzambi set to follow
Villa are believed to be on the brink of signing Johan Manzambi from Freiburg, with the Switzerland international likely to cost over £50million.
Reports claim that Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara, who could cost in the region of £25million, is also on Villa’s wanted list during the transfer window.
The former Norwich City man is under contract with the Turkish club until 2029, but Galatasaray are believed to be willing to discuss a deal.
Estupinan also on Villa radar
Another name being linked with a Villa Park switch is AC Milan’s left-sided player Pervis Estupinan, who would cost around £10million.
The Ecuador international only moved to the San Siro last July, but made just 19 appearances across the season.
Estupinan, who is now 28, is another with Premier League experience, having spent three years with Brighton.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
