Who is Man United transfer target Joao Gomes? The £40m perfect Kobbie Mainoo 'Pitbull' partner

Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a move for Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes as Erik ten Hag looks to strengthen his side.

Heading into the first summer with the added investment and input from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team, Gomes is the first new name to be linked with the club.

Ratcliffe is expected to carry out wide-ranging changes at Old Trafford as he continues a thorough process of assessing the performance and methods currently in place. It is said that Gomes, who signed for Wolves in January last year, is someone attracting the attention for the playing squad.

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The Mirror write that with Casemiro likely to leave this summer, United are keen to add a new defensive midfielder to their ranks. He has already been watched on 'several occasions' this season including in Wolves' win over Fulham earlier this month.

Gomes, 23, signed for the club for £12million from Flamengo and could get his first cap for Brazil on Saturday. He was called up by Dorival Junior again for the final set of internationals this season. He was also selected 12 months ago in a camp but didn't play.

So who is Gomes, and why might United think that his £40million price tag is value for money?

Gomes is a Brazilian midfielder that came through the ranks at Flamengo. He played 117 times for their senior side before moving to England in the winter of 2023, scoring just three times and assisting four. He has already matched the goals tally at Molineux in just 39 games.

He is set to comfortably play the most football in