Aston Villa have completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a fee of £38 million. The 22-year-old has agreed a five-year contract at Villa Park, with the option of a further 12 months.
Deal Details and Competition
The transfer sees Villa beat Manchester United to Gomes' signature, with the Red Devils having been linked with the player throughout the summer window. Gomes, who joined Wolves from Flamengo in January 2023 for £15 million, made 43 appearances for the Molineux club, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
Player Profile and Impact
Gomes is a box-to-box midfielder known for his energy, tackling ability, and passing range. He will add depth to Villa's midfield, which already includes the likes of Douglas Luiz, Youri Tielemans, and John McGinn. Villa manager Unai Emery said: "Joao is a player we have admired for a long time. He has the qualities to fit into our system and will strengthen our squad as we compete in the Premier League and Champions League."
Financial Context
Villa's £38 million outlay represents a significant profit for Wolves, who had signed Gomes for less than half that amount 18 months ago. The deal also makes Gomes Villa's third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley.
According to sources close to the deal, Villa moved quickly to secure Gomes after learning of Manchester United's interest. The transfer was completed ahead of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules deadline, with Villa needing to balance their books after heavy spending in previous windows.
