Wolverhampton Wanderers are considering a dramatic January transfer swap deal with Manchester United that could see Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes head to Old Trafford while young defender Ayden Heaven moves in the opposite direction.
Wolves' Struggles and Transfer Dilemma
Wolves currently sit bottom of the Premier League table after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in their most recent outing. The Midlands club remain winless in their first twelve fixtures under new manager Rob Edwards, who recently replaced Vitor Pereira at the Molineux helm.
The former Forest Green Rovers, Watford and Luton Town manager left his position at Championship side Middlesbrough to take charge of Wolves, who find themselves nine points from safety behind West Ham in seventeenth position. Alongside Leeds United and Burnley, they currently occupy the relegation zone with their Premier League status looking increasingly precarious.
Joao Gomes Attracting Manchester United Interest
The 24-year-old Brazilian international has emerged as a key transfer target for Manchester United as manager Ruben Amorim looks to strengthen his squad during the January window. Gomes, who has earned ten caps for Brazil, has become an integral part of Wolves' midfield since joining from Flamengo in 2023.
During his time at the Rio de Janeiro-based club, Gomes progressed through their academy system and made 122 first-team appearances, scoring four goals as a developing talent. Since arriving in England, he has featured in 98 matches across all competitions for Wolves, finding the net seven times, including nine appearances this current season.
Potential Swap Deal Involving Ayden Heaven
Rather than a straightforward cash deal, Wolves are exploring the possibility of securing United defender Ayden Heaven as part of any transfer involving Gomes. The 19-year-old has struggled for regular game time at Old Trafford this season, making just nine appearances under Amorim with limited recent minutes.
Heaven's career path has seen him spend time at both West Ham and Arsenal before joining Manchester United in February, where he signed a long-term contract. The teenager made just one senior appearance for Arsenal during his five years at the Emirates Stadium before his move to the North West.
Edwards sees the young defender as someone who could help strengthen Wolves' leaky defence, with the team having conceded heavily during their poor start to the campaign. For Heaven, a move could provide the regular first-team football his development requires after falling out of favour at United.
The proposed deal would likely involve Heaven moving to Molineux alongside a significant cash component to compensate for Gomes' departure. This approach would give Edwards both immediate defensive reinforcement and funds to further strengthen his struggling squad.
As Wolves prepare for their next challenge against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday, the club's hierarchy faces crucial decisions about their January transfer strategy. With confidence low following their defeat to Palace and Villa coming off a 2-1 victory against Leeds United thanks to a Morgan Rogers brace, the need for reinforcements becomes increasingly urgent.
