Some transfer sagas collapse at the last moment.
Atletico Madrid had a deal done.
€45 million agreed.
A player lined up.
Everything ready.
And then Jorge Mendes took Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid instead of Atletico.
The fallout from that decision has now sent Joao Gomes back onto the open market.
And both Manchester United and Liverpool are ready to pounce.
Manchester United and Liverpool both contact Wolves over Joao Gomes as Atletico Madrid deal collapses
According to Globo, both Manchester United and Liverpool have made contact with Wolves to enquire about the pricing and structure of a potential deal for Gomes, after his agreed transfer to Atletico Madrid collapsed at the final stages.
The Globo headline said it all.
“Manchester United give up on Ederson and signal interest in Joao Gomes. Liverpool also make contact.”
The Atletico Madrid collapse is the story behind the story.
Diego Simeone’s side wanted to sign Bernardo Silva as a free agent following his departure from Manchester City.
Mendes, who represents both Silva and Gomes, instead facilitated a deal to take the Portuguese star to Real Madrid.
Atletico’s management were furious.
And as a direct consequence of that anger, they walked away from the Gomes agreement, a deal worth €45 million that had been considered all but done.
For Manchester United, the timing couldn’t be more relevant.
The Ederson pursuit from Atalanta has now also collapsed, with Fabrizio Romano confirming United pulled out after being unsatisfied with the results of the Brazilian’s medical following his late call-up to the World Cup squad.
Gomes had been on United’s radar since January, a pursuit halted only because Atletico’s move was already at an advanced stage.
Now the door has reopened.
Liverpool move into this race with a significant advantage.
Back in 2022, while still at Flamengo, Gomes was asked directly whether he would play for Liverpool.
“Liverpool is a team I would play for,” he said. “I have a great desire to play there.”
Four years on, that desire hasn’t gone away, and with Andoni Iraola building a team around intensity, press and physicality, the 25-year-old’s profile fits almost perfectly.
Wolves value Gomes at around €60 million.
With two serious Premier League clubs now in contact and a Championship season looming, holding firm on that figure is their only sensible option.
But with two of England’s biggest clubs circling simultaneously, the negotiation promises to be fascinating.
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