Napoli Reach Agreement Over £35m Premier League Midfielder For Next Summer

Napoli have agreed personal terms with Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes.

Napoli Closing In On Joao Gomes Deal

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, finances and bonuses have been thrashed out with Gomes’ agents ahead of a prospective move in the summer. However, a deal must also be struck with the Premier League outfit.

Sporting director Giovanni Manna admires the 24-year-old, resulting in him moving quickly to snap him up.

Gomes is tied down at Molineux until 2030 and his contract, worth £105,000 a week, includes an option to extend by a further 12 months. This will likely force Napoli to stump up a significant amount to get the deal done.

Gianluca Di Marzio revealed that a fee of around €40million (£34.6m) should be enough to tempt Wolves to sell up.

Work has begun on the transfer behind the scenes, with Di Marzio also claiming that the Partenopei have already ‘practically secured’ the midfielder by agreeing on financial terms with his entourage.

The Brazil international has impressed since arriving in England from Brazilian side Flamengo almost three years ago. He has made over 100 league appearances and caught the eye with his all-action, electric displays.

This season, he has played 24 times across all competitions, providing one assist.

Meanwhile, Napoli want Donyell Malen and have made an enquiry over the Aston Villa forward.

Manchester United Beaten To Joao Gomes Signing

Earlier in the window, Manchester United were heavily tipped to swoop for Gomes. The club are not believed to have made an official bid, however, and may not return after the sacking of head coach Ruben Amorim.

The midfield dilemma at Old Trafford will be revisited in the summer, when Gomes should be Naples-bound.

Wolves are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and trail 17th-placed Nottingham Forest by 14 points. Their imminent relegation is expected to lead to an exodus of players, but they will not be allowed to leave on the cheap.

This equally applies to Brazil international Gomes, with the English outfit still very much in the driving seat.

Speaking in November, Wolves head coach Rob Edwards was unsurprisingly coy over Gomes’ future.

“We’ve spoken about stuff but my focus has been on getting the team organised,” he said. “We have got some good players and there will always be interest, but I’m not aware of anything.

“Joao has been excellent this week.”

Regardless, Gomes would be an ideal fit for Antonio Conte, who is now facing a touchline ban.