Wolves star Joao Gomes poised for medical ahead of Aston Villa switch

Joao Gomes is expected to undergo a medical on Friday ahead of completing a £38million move across the Midlands from Wolves to Villa.

The Brazilian midfielder left the Championship club’s training camp in Portugal on Thursday and returned to the UK, after the clubs agreed a deal which has been the cause of frustration among some Wolves supporters, due to what they see as a relatively low fee.

Gomes’ departure was widely anticipated to leave Molineux this summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League, with Atletico Madrid the long-term favourites for his signature.

But with their interest having cooled in recent weeks, Villa have now swooped in as they seek to strengthen their midfield following the sale of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and the loss of Amadou Onana to long-term injury.

Gomes, who has made 130 appearances in all competitions since joining Wolves from Flamengo in 2023, is seen as the ideal replacement for the latter and Villa’s business will not stop there.

The club also hope to complete the signing of 20-year-old Switzerland international midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg later on Friday and are in talks with Bayern Munich over a possible loan deal for Joao Palhinha.

Manzambi will replace Onana as Villa’s record buy in a deal which will exceed £50m.

Tielemans joined United earlier this week for £35m, while Lucas Digne is on course to join Paris Saint-Germain once he returns from World Cup duty with France.

Former Brighton left-back Pervis Estupinan, now with AC Milan, is being targeted as a replacement with Unai Emery’s squad facing its bigger summer shake-up since the Spaniard’s arrival at the club.

Wolves are also expected to be busy as the new season draws nearer with a replacement for Gomes near the top of the agenda.

Kieran Trippier, Raul Jimenez and winger Rafiki Said are the club’s three signings of the summer to date.