Manchester United have reportedly identified Joao Gomes and Andre as potential alternatives to Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte. The Red Devils are claimed to have walked away from a deal for Ugarte after baulking at his £51million price tag.
Erik ten Hag is in desperate need of a new defensive midfielder before the transfer window slams shut on August 30. There is concern that Casemiro’s powers are on the wane, while there has seemingly been little desire to make Sofyan Amrabat’s loan from Fiorentina permanent.
United are likely to accelerate their plans to sign an alternative to Ugarte over the coming days after talks with Paris Saint-Germain failed to materialise in an agreement. According to Give Me Sport, Wolves star Gomes and Fluminense’s Andre are potential options for the position.
However, neither player will come cheap. Gomes is reportedly valued at £60m while clubs previously linked with Andre have been quoted around £30m by his Brazilian club.
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Gomes shone for Wolves last season after joining from Flamengo in January 2023, while Andre has had significant interest from Premier League clubs for some time. Both players are 23 and would therefore be long-term investments at Old Trafford.
It comes after United reportedly walked away from talks with PSG over Ugarte’s £51m price tag. The Athletic report that INEOS chiefs will only revisit their interest in the Uruguay international if the valuation decreases.
United have long been criticised for over-paying for targets, a trend Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to buck eight months on from completing his deal to buy 27.7 per cent of the Premier League club. It is why United walked away from discussions with Everton for Jarrad Branthwaite and instead signed Leny Yoro from Lille.
The Red Devils will seek alternative options for the defensive midfield position but additions will not come on the cheap. Wolves signed Gomes from Flamengo for £15m 18 months ago and will want a significant profit on their investment, with the report claiming that he will cost in excess of £60m.
The player has four years remaining on his current contract, giving Wolves plenty of power in negotiations. Meanwhile, Andre has previously been linked with exits from Fluminense with reported valuations in the region of £30m.
United have spent close to £90m this summer on Yoro and forward Joshua Zirkzee. However, they have recouped around £40m of that figure from the sales of Mason Greenwood, Willy Kambwala, Alvaro Fernandez and Donny van de Beek.
