Aston Villa have agreed a deal worth around £35 million to sign midfielder João Gomes from bitter rivals Wolves, as Unai Emery moves to reinforce his squad ahead of pre-season. The Brazilian is expected to undergo a medical and sign a long-term contract.
Depleted Midfield Prompts Swift Action
Villa's urgency in the transfer market stems from the departure of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and a significant injury to Amadou Onana. The club has also accelerated interest in Johan Manzambi, with both players set to undergo medicals. Additionally, Villa are in talks with Bayern Munich over a potential loan move for João Palhinha, the Portugal international who spent last season at Tottenham Hotspur.
Gomes Bids Farewell to Wolves
Gomes said his goodbyes to his Wolves teammates at their training camp in Portugal on Thursday. The 23-year-old will add bite and quality to Emery's midfield options, which have been severely depleted over the past fortnight.
Expert Analysis on Gomes' Strengths and Weaknesses
Ryan Leister, host of The Wolves Report podcast, provided BirminghamLive with an in-depth assessment of Villa's incoming signing. "Joao's strengths are that he's an excellent ball winner and ball recoverer," Leister said. "He's outstanding in one-on-one situations, tenacious, reliable in the tackle, strong and aggressive. Those are undoubtedly his main qualities."
Leister also highlighted areas for improvement: "His weaknesses? He does play on the edge, which can sometimes put him at risk of a second booking or even a red card. However, that's also an important trait in professional football. Another area for improvement is his goals and assists numbers, which are quite low."
He added: "Whether that's down to playing in a poor team or a lack of creativity, I'd say it's a combination of both. I expect him to perform better in a stronger side, so I think he can kick on at Aston Villa, where the quality of football, particularly in Europe, should suit him."
Personality and Temperament
Leister praised Gomes' professionalism: "In terms of personality and temperament, Joao has been an exceptional professional. He trains hard, is well-liked in the dressing room and does a lot of work in the community. I believe he's even visited a local jiu-jitsu club in Wolverhampton because he's really passionate about the sport. He comes across as a genuinely good guy."
"Temperament-wise, he's passionate and wears his heart on his sleeve. He's aggressive, fearless and loves a tackle, often celebrating winning challenges."
Villa Secure Favorable Deal
Leister expressed little surprise at the cross-city transfer: "Am I surprised to see him move from Wolves to Villa? Not really. Football is a business. Despite the history between the clubs, transfers happen. Wolves need the money to reinvest, and if Aston Villa are the buyers, that's how it goes."
On the fee, he commented: "Is £35 million a reasonable fee? Not really. Looking at some of the fees paid this summer, I think Aston Villa have got the better deal. It's £35 million with add-ons potentially taking it to £38 million, and if those clauses are achieved, fair enough, but Villa have done well."
Memorable Performances
Leister recalled Gomes' standout displays: "As for his standout performances, there haven't been many because Wolves had such a difficult season. He did score against Aston Villa last season in the 2–0 win, with a deflected shot, and I thought he was excellent in that game. Beyond that, there haven't been many standout displays because Wolves struggled for a forward line, meaning midfielders would win the ball only for it to come straight back."
