Manchester United are eyeing up a move to sign Wolves star Joao Gomes to complete their midfield rebuild this summer, according to Football Insider.

The Red Devils have completed a deal to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a £50m move, while they have shocked the Premier League by triggering the £35m release clause of Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans to bring him into the centre of the team at Old Trafford too.

But United are keen to add a third body to the side, having allowed Casemiro to leave at the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte is likely to miss most of the season after suffering a serious knee ligament injury during the World Cup, and a familiar target has now returned to their shortlist.

Man Utd Eyeing Joao Gomes Deal

Gomes, who has been described as ‘insane’, is expected to depart Wolves this summer after the club’s relegation to the Championship, and had been on the verge of a move to La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid for around €40m (£34m).

However, after the Spanish side had a fallout with his agent Jorge Mendes over another deal involving Bernardo Silva, they opted to pull out of the deal for the Brazil international, opening the door for Man Utd to enter the race once again.

Man Utd have a long-term interest in the 25-year-old and are keen on a deal considering his price tag, and how much other targets have been priced at in the window.

Liverpool are also looking at the Brazil international, while there is interest from clubs in Europe too. But with United keen to bring in a more defensive-minded ball-winner to the squad, to compliment the other midfield options in the squad, a move for Gomes would make a lot of sense.

Man Utd Have Big Gomes Opportunity

Gomes is someone who has got plenty of experience at the top level, and he is also someone who has played in the Premier League and knows what to expect.

His profile is much-needed alongside Bruno Fernandes, Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo, and a young Andrey Santos, and the reported fee would also allow for the club to put more funds towards other potential targets in this window.

Wolves won’t stand in his way, and Gomes would surely be open to staying in the top-flight with a team competing in the Champions League, so this could be a a big opportunity for the club to pull the trigger on someone they are very keen on, while strengthening the squad at the same time.

There were literal noises of shock on the ITV coverage of England vs Norway when Erling Haaland was substituted in exta-time. This proved to be his final involvement at the World Cup, with the Three Lions winning 2-1.

Jude Bellingham very much stole the show as he scored a brace after Andreas Schjelderup had given Norway an early lead. Haaland had scored seven goals, including twice in the Last 16 against Brazil, but failed to get on the scoresheet against England.

In truth, he struggled to get involved throughout the game as Thomas Tuchel’s men dealt with his threat well. Even so, many were surpoised when manager Stale Solbakken took Haaland off during half-time of extra time, with 15 minutes to go and his team losing.

The Norway coach later explained the decision: “It was not a tough decision to take him out. He was finished. Maybe I should have taken him out 10 minutes before. “He also got a dead leg in the second half, so that combined with the fatigue. He did everything he could.”

However, a theory has emerged about the true reason Haaland was hooked, which has forced a staff doctor to comment on the claims.

Tony Cascarino Claims He Was Told Haaland ‘Wasn’t Well’

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Former Premier League striker Tony Cascarino told TalkSport that he had been told at half-time that Haaland was actually sick. England midfielder Declan Rice came off early due to his own illness, and Cascarino claimed a simiailr issue impacted the Norway star:

“Whatever we say, he didn’t look right physically. He’s come off, and he didn’t say an injury. So I presume it was exactly what I just said. He suffered from not being well.”

He added: “He was unwell, yeah. He was unwell prior to the game. He doesn’t touch the ball a lot anyway but I was surprised about how much energy he lacked as well.

“Him and [Alexander] Sorloth both looked like they didn’t have the sort of drive and he looked absolutely… I just looked at him afterwards and thought, well, what I’d heard in half-time – I’m saying I know it from somebody who would know that – he was meant to be [sick], he wasn’t well.”

Norway Doctor Addresses Haaland Sickness Claims

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

In light of this theory emerging online, Norway’s national team doctor Ola Sand has addressed the claims. However, when asked by Norwegian outlet Dagbladet if Haaland was sick, he replieed:

Adding to this statement, Haaland was certainly well enough to then go out with his teammates in Miami as they were seen in a nightclub watching rapper Flo Rida perform. This suggests he wasn’t suffering from any bad illness.

The Manchester City ace is now set to take a break before heading back for pre-season. Speaking to Dagbladet, he said: “I’m completely done. I’ll be completely honest.” The report notes that Norway plan to hold a party at the national palace this week as they celebrate their World Cup efforts.

Newcastle United are one again on the hunt for new midfielders this summer after they saw their move for Johan Manzambi hijacked.

The Magpies thought they had a deal agreed with Freiburg to sign the Switzerland international, only for Aston Villa to swoop at the 11th hour and offer the player a deal he preferred, while matching the fee to Freiburg.

A deal for Seun Steurs has already been completed, but Eddie Howe is keen to add more experience after losing Sandro Tonali, and strong interest in Bruno Guimaraes, and a Man Utd star has now emerged as a target.

According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle United are one of the clubs who have made contact about a deal to sign England international Mason Mount from Old Trafford.

Mount has racked up just 72 appearances in three seasons since his £60m move from Chelsea in 2023, and has now entered the final two years of his £250,000-a-week contract Villa see him as someone who could come in and bolster the squad, but Man Utd have swiftly rejected their interest, stating that he remains part of their plans for the season.

Interest in Mount comes as Arsenal prepare to ramp up their interest in Bruno Guimaraes, after the skipper confirmed to club chiefs that he’d like to explore a move to the Premier League champions this summer.

But with Man Utd adamant that the 27-year-old midfielder won’t be sold this summer, the recruitment team will need to go looking for another option once again, having already missed out on several key targets in recent years.

Newcastle Need a Huge Summer Window

Newcastle have already lost Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali for £170m combined, while Kieran Trippier was allowed to depart at the end of his contract. So far Ewen Jaouen, Bazoumana Toure, and Seun Steur have arrived, but the level of the squad has dropped.

That makes it understandable why Bruno is looking to leave, but missing out on top targets like Manzambi and Munoz shows that something serious needs to be done about their approach in windows.

Mount would be a solid addition, but they face an uphill battle to get that deal done, and now they need to find a way to bring in reinforcements that take the squad to the next level, without seeing it be gazumped at the final hurdle.