Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes is being seen as a transfer in waiting for Napoli, with the Italian side keen on the Brazilian.
That’s according to Gianluca di Marzio and Sky Italia, the latter via Area Napoli. They both report that the Wolves man is Napoli’s main target for the summer transfer window.
Di Marzio kicks things off, reporting that Gomes has been lined up for the summer. The Italian champions are planning for their next campaign already. They want improvements in midfield, where the team is currently suffering an emergency.
Sky Italia offer a little more. Rob Edwards’ midfielder is the ‘big target’ for the summer transfer window. He would be the ‘super blow’ for the Italians. Antonio Conte is a tough manager to please, and Napoli are already doing their groundwork.
Gomes is the new name on the list at this moment in time, although a move this month is unlikely. Napoli have been told they need to sell before they can buy in January. The belief, at this moment in time, is that it would take €40m for Wolves to sanction an exit.
Wolves relegation would help transfer
Napoli are working on the deal now so they can anticipate competition ahead of the summer. What Wolves’ stance on a transfer at that point, after a likely relegation, remains to be seen.
They currently have Andre, Gomes, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Marshall Munetsi as their central midfield options. Gomes is, arguably, the one they’d like to keep but that’s likely to be difficult in the summer if they’re in the Championship as expected.
Multiple clubs are already sniffing around Wolves as if they’re somewhat condemned. Around Europe especially there’s often a hope that dropping to England’s second division can see a fire sale.
Turkish clubs are especially enthusiastic about this, with Beşiktaş already sniffing around Jhon Arias and Emmanuel Agbadou. The desire is for Wolves to hit financial pressure and then have to sell more cheaply than otherwise.
That hasn’t always proven to be the case, with relegated clubs protected somewhat via the parachute payments. Whilst the drop means finances are tight, most sides are now better protected than they once were.
Regardless, given the improved form recently under Rob Edwards, perhaps all isn’t lost for Wolves.
