Wolves’ bosses could “buy” key midfielder Joao Gomez in the January transfer window, which would immediately damage Rob Edwards’ chances of keeping the team in the Premier League.
Edwards got off to a bad start as manager of the Wanderers last weekend, losing 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, and admitted it is not a quick fix for a team struggling in the top flight.
“It’s not going to be over in a week. We knew it was never going to be over with a click of the finger. That’s it. The story of the season so far has probably been quite tough, there may be a bit of a lack of confidence and belief, but not so much in the game, and we’re going to be punished.
“We have to try to find the first goal. And we can’t just say, ‘Yeah, we need to score first.’ We have to do everything right, do the fundamentals really well, work hard and work harder. We’ve certainly been trying to increase our intensity, but it’s been a pretty tough week. Not everyone has been able to participate.”
Edwards will know the importance of a new contract in January, but it will also be important to retain key players, with new updates suggesting one of his star players could be on the verge of leaving Wolves.
David Ornstein talks about Joao Gomez’s possible departure
Journalist David Ornstein has claimed to NBC Sports that Wolves could consider selling Gomez midway through the season in order to raise significant cash amid rumors of interest from Manchester United.
“There have been reports regarding João Gomez at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Sources I have spoken to around Molineux seem to have downplayed that. They say there are no talks between the clubs at this time.”
“And of course, if Wolves are looking at relegation in January, they might try to sign him at that point, as opposed to having him play in the Championship, where his value would be diminished.”
Losing Gomez, who is Wolves’ highest earner at £105,000 a week, is clearly something Edwards doesn’t want to happen, but the club’s bosses will be looking at the bigger picture in terms of making sure he receives the highest possible fee.
The 24-year-old has been a hugely influential figure in the center of midfield, starting 10 Premier League games this season, and Matthies Cunha has made it clear he wants to see him at United.
“He is a little older, but I put Casemiro’s name only to indicate the possibility of Joao Gomez arriving. I think Joao has the possibility of arriving. He is very humble and works hard. Then good teams come like a gift.”
Wolves register interest in January loan deal with Real Madrid’s ‘goal machine’
Following Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, Old Gold began making approaches to sign the forward.
Ultimately, Gomez’s future feels remote at Wolves unless fundamental improvements are made, but selling him in January would feel like a defeatist move in a relegation battle.
