Arsenal lead £40m race for 'outstanding' Manchester United target

Arsenal are set for a summer transfer battle with Manchester United and, according to the most recent reports, are currently coming out in front to seal the deal. As reported by O Dia, the Gunners are eyeing up a potential move for Wolverhampton Wanderers star Joao Gomes.

The Gunners are ready to enter negotiations in the upcoming transfer window in the hopes of securing the services of the 23-year-old midfielder. The Brazilian is currently contracted to the Molineux club until 2028 and, as such, currently has a £40 million price tag attached to him.

Reports emerged last month that Manchester United had been viewing Gomes as a potential replacement for Gomes’ compatriot Casemiro but the Brazilian outlet O Dia now indicate that Gomes is more likely to head down to the capital this summer rather than Old Trafford with the latter club not yet ready to sign off on an offer.

The 23-year-old has been nominated for the Premier League player of the month award for February. The nomination came after an impressive performance against Tottenham Hotspur, in which Gomes scored twice to secure a 2-1 victory over the Gunners’ closest rivals.

Beginning his career at the Brazilian club Flamengo, Gomes signed for Wolves in 2023 following a lengthy battle against Ligue 1’s Olympique Lyonnais. The fee was reported to be around €18.7m (£16m) and the Brazilian star scored on debut, netting the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Southampton. His form since January 2024 has also warranted him earning his first minutes in a national shirt and made his debut for the Brazilian squad in their clash against England at Wembley last month.