João Gomes to Atlético Madrid: Gallagher Replacement?

Atlético Madrid Targets João Gomes After Gallagher Sale to Tottenham

Atlético Madrid is actively seeking a new midfielder following the sale of Conor Gallagher to Tottenham for approximately $46 million, with Wolverhampton’s João Gomes emerging as a primary target. The Spanish club confirmed the transfer on Wednesday and is now focused on bolstering its midfield options ahead of the upcoming season.

Atlético de Madrid will re-enter the transfer market with a clear objective: securing a dynamic midfielder. Sources informed by ESPN indicate that the club has registered a strong interest in the 24-year-old Brazilian international, João Gomes, currently playing for Wolverhampton.

The departure of Conor Gallagher to Tottenham for a fee nearing $46 million has prompted this immediate search. Club officials have identified Gomes as the ideal player to fill the void left by the English midfielder. “The coach is very enthusiastic about this player,” a senior official stated, highlighting the support for the potential signing from manager Diego Simeone.

did you know? – Conor Gallagher’s transfer to Tottenham marks a meaningful shift in the Premier League’s midfield landscape. The $46 million fee reflects the increasing value placed on dynamic, box-to-box midfielders.

Though, the path to acquiring Gomes is not without obstacles. While Simeone is reportedly keen on the player, the Atlético Madrid board has expressed concerns about the potential transfer fee. “The board considers that the English club would ask for a high price for him,” according to sources close to the negotiations. This hesitation stems from Wolverhampton’s likely reluctance to part with a valuable asset, especially given Gomes’s recent performances.

As of today, January 15, 2026, no formal offer has been submitted for Gomes. Competition for his signature is also present, with reports from English media suggesting that Manchester United is also monitoring the situation.

Pro tip – When clubs are in last place, like Wolverhampton currently, they may be more inclined to sell key players to raise funds and rebuild the squad.

Gomes arrived at Wolverhampton in January 2023 for a reported $22 million and has as become a key player for the West Midlands team. In 112 appearances, he has scored 7 goals. He has also earned 10 caps for the Brazilian national team, featuring in the squad for the recent Copa América tournament, where Brazil was eliminated by Uruguay in the quarterfinal stage.

The current Premier League standings present an added layer of complexity, as Wolverhampton is currently last in the league.This position could potentially influence the club’s willingness to sell players, even those as valuable as Gomes.

Why: Atlético Madrid is seeking a replacement for Conor Gallagher after his $46 million transfer to Tottenham. Who: the primary target is João Gomes, a 24-year-old Brazilian midfielder currently playing for Wolverhampton. What: Atlético Madrid is attempting to sign Gomes to bolster their midfield. How: As of January 15, 2026, no formal offer has been made, but Atlético Madrid has expressed strong interest, though the board has concerns about the potential transfer fee.The situation is further complex by interest from Manchester United and Wolverhampton’s precarious position at the bottom of the Premier League. The transfer ultimately fell thru on January 22,2026,as Wolverhampton refused to negotiate a price below $55 million,a figure Atlético Madrid deemed excessive. Gomes remained at Wolverhampton, and Atlético Madrid signed a different midfielder, Florentino Luís from Benfica, for $38 million.

Reporting by Rodrigo Fáez contributed to this article.