Joao Gomes is on Manchester United’s summer wishlist – but has previously expressed a desire to play for Liverpool.

Gomes, 23, has made a strong impression at Wolves since joining the club from Flamengo in January 2023 for just £12million and Mirror Footballrevealed on Thursday morning that his imperious performances at Molineux have piqued the attention of Ineos.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team have taken charge of sporting operations at Old Trafford and are in the market for a new midfielder in the summer with Casemiro, 32, likely to depart. Ratcliffe’s preference is to acquire up-and-coming talent rather than blockbuster names and Gomes, who United believe could be available for £40million, fits the bill as a player with significant resale value.

United have watched the talented midfielder on several occasions this season and could firm up their interest in Gomes in the coming months. However, Gomes’ previous comments on playing for United’s arch-rivals may not go down too well.

Speaking in a media interview back in the summer of 2022, Gomes said: “Liverpool are a team I would [like to] play for. Playing in the Champions League is my biggest dream and that of my family, my biggest dream in football.”

Gomes has not only caught the eye of United since adapting seamlessly to life in the Premier League. Both Newcastle and Tottenham have also had him watched ahead of the summer, for a player whom Wolves don’t want to lose, but accept could go if the price is right.

The Brazilian, nicknamed ‘the pitbull’ has adapted seamlessly to life in the Premier League, shining at the heart of the Black Country club’s midfield – filling the void left by Ruben Neves last summer – and is poised to win his first senior cap for his country against England this weekend.

Despite impressing last year after joining the club for an initial £60m from Real Madrid, Casemiro has failed to live up to expectations this season and United would welcome the opportunity to get his significant salary off the books.

And with Ratcliffe and Ineos determined to move away from over-inflated transfer fees and salaries, Casemiro and a host of other high-earning, underperforming players including Antony and Raphael Varane, will be up for grabs at the end of the season.

As well as Gomes, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is also a key summer target for Manchester United following his impressive performances for the Toffees this year.