Atletico move closer to Joao Gomes
Atlético Madrid are now in advanced stages for Joao Gomes, with the Wolves midfielder emerging as the club’s clearest midfield route after months of work around Ederson.
The deal is not fully closed yet, but the direction is strong. Reports in Spain and England point to a package around €40m plus variables, with Atlético working on a long-term contract for the Brazilian midfielder and his agency Carlos Leite Sports. If completed, the move would take Joao from Wolves to a Champions League-level project and give Diego Simeone another aggressive ball-winning profile for the centre of the pitch.
The timing also explains the wider market effect. Atlético have had Ederson on their list for months, with that operation effectively on stand-by since March. Joao Gomes moving into the final stretch now makes the Atalanta midfielder’s route to Madrid much less immediate.
Wolves situation opens the door
Joao Gomes is under contract at Wolves until 30 June 2030, so this is not a simple contract-pressure sale. But Wolves’ relegation context changes the negotiation.
The Brazilian has been one of the club’s most valuable assets. Transfermarkt lists him as a central midfielder with a market value around €40m, and Brazilian reporting has noted that Wolves have been looking for roughly that level to sell. He joined from Flamengo in January 2023 for around €18.7m, meaning a sale near the current numbers would still represent a strong return.
His profile fits Atlético very naturally. Joao is intense, combative, tactically disciplined and used to Premier League rhythm. This season, he has played heavily despite Wolves’ struggles, with Brazilian reports crediting him with 38 appearances from 40 possible matches, plus one goal and three assists.
Ederson now waits for the next move
Ederson is the other major Brazilian midfielder in this file. Atlético have followed him closely and had already worked on the deal, but the Joao Gomes acceleration confirms that the Atalanta operation is currently on hold.
That does not remove Ederson from the market. It may actually push him more clearly toward England.
Manchester United have had Ederson on their list since 2025. The club are not close to a deal at this stage, but he remains one of the midfield names being monitored as United assess physical, high-level options for the next cycle. There is also another Premier League club keen, which keeps the file open even if Atlético move away.
Ederson's contract at Atalanta runs until 30 June 2027. He is 26, right-footed, Brazil international, and can play as a central midfielder, defensive midfielder or more advanced box-to-box option. His market value has been around the €40m to €50m range across recent updates, while Atalanta have historically valued him strongly because of his tactical importance and Serie A development.
Manchester United angle stays alive
United’s interest makes sense because Ederson offers a different type of midfield profile. He is not only a ball-winner. He covers ground, carries the ball forward, competes physically and has already adapted to European football at a high tactical level with Atalanta.
The key point is that United are not yet in final negotiation mode. Ederson is an option, not a close deal. But with Atlético now pushing for Joao Gomes, the Brazilian’s market may become more open for Premier League clubs.
That is exactly where timing matters. If Atalanta decide this is the right summer to sell before the final year of his contract approaches, English clubs could find a window. If they hold firm on valuation, the deal becomes more complicated.
Carlos Leite Sports control the Joao Gomes file
Joao Gomes is represented by Carlos Leite Sports, one of Brazil’s most established talent-export agencies.
This is a major file for the agency. Joao’s path already shows the Carlos Leite model clearly: Flamengo development, Premier League move, Brazil national team recognition, then a possible next step into one of Spain’s biggest clubs.
Carlos Leite Sports also have strong Wolves relevance because André is another important client at the club. That gives the agency a significant position around Wolves’ Brazilian midfield market at a moment when the club may need to reshape after relegation.
For Joao Gomes, the Atlético move would be the next career layer: from Flamengo prospect to Premier League starter, then to Simeone’s Champions League structure.
Link Sports wait on Ederson's Premier League route
Ederson is represented by Link Sports Football, the Brazilian agency connected to major Brazil-Europe movement and high-level transfer strategy.
This is now a patience file. Atlético’s Joao Gomes push reduces one route, but it does not weaken Ederson's overall market. If anything, it makes the next step clearer: England is still active, Manchester United have him on the list, and another Premier League club is also keen.
For Link Sports, the negotiation will be about timing and valuation. Ederson is not a free opportunity. He is contracted until 2027, plays in a valuable position, and Atalanta are not known for selling key players cheaply.
Brazilian midfielders dominate the summer conversation
This is one of the more interesting midfield chains of the summer because one move directly affects the other.
If Atlético close Joao Gomes, Carlos Leite Sports land a major LaLiga deal and Wolves lose one of their most valuable players. At the same time, Ederson's Atlético route moves further into the background, leaving Link Sports to work the Premier League market.
For FootballAgencies readers, the agency point is simple: two Brazilian midfielders, two strong representation groups, and one market domino. Joao Gomes to Atlético would not end the Ederson story. It would redirect it.
