João Gomes, one of Wolverhampton Wanderers' most influential midfielders, appeared to be heading to Atlético Madrid — but the deal has stalled, and now two of England's biggest clubs are circling.

Manchester United and Liverpool have both turned their attention to Gomes, according to transfer reports, with the Brazilian forcing his way onto the radar of the Premier League's elite after another commanding season at Molineux.

Atlético Madrid move cools

The Spanish giants had been widely credited with an interest in Gomes, and a move to La Liga looked a real possibility. However, that transfer now appears to have lost momentum, opening the door for rival suitors to step forward.

With United and Liverpool now monitoring the situation, Wolves face the prospect of losing one of their standout performers to a Premier League competitor — a scenario that would present a fresh headache for the club as they look to retain their core players.

Why clubs want Gomes

Gomes has established himself as a combative and technically gifted presence in central midfield since arriving at Wolves. His ability to break up play, drive forward, and impose himself physically has drawn comparisons to some of the best defensive midfielders in the European game.

For Manchester United, a club that has struggled for consistency in the engine room, Gomes would offer the kind of steel and dynamism manager Rúben Amorim's system demands. Liverpool, meanwhile, are understood to be planning for midfield reinforcements as they look to maintain their high standards at the top of the Premier League.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are unlikely to make a sale easy. Gomes is considered central to the club's long-term plans, and any interested party will need to meet a significant asking price to secure his signature.