Aston Villa's summer of spending shows no signs of slowing down, with the Midlands outfit on the cusp of securing one of the transfer window's most high-profile deals – £38m Joao Gomes from relegated Wolves. The Brazilian dynamo has packed his bags and is set to jet in for a medical today, Thursday 17 July 2026, as the finer details of the move are ironed out.
The deal, structured around an initial payment of £34 million with a further £4 million tied to performance-related bonuses, underlines Villa's commitment to bolstering their midfield ranks. It's a bold statement from the club, who've already been busy reshaping their squad following Youri Tielemans' £35m departure to Manchester United.
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding Amadou Onana's long-term future, due to his serious knee injury sustained at the World Cup, Gomes could prove a shrewd signing. The 25-year-old midfielder was a stalwart for Wolves last season, making 41 appearances as they slumped to relegation. His consistent displays had even caught the eye of Atletico Madrid, although a transfer never materialised.
With Gomes on the horizon, Aston Villa are taking giant strides towards strengthening their squad. And it's not just about filling gaps – the potential arrival of Swiss international Johan Manzambi from Freiburg in a record-breaking deal potentially exceeding £50 million is another significant coup for the club. It's clear that Dean Smith and his recruitment team are intent on building a competitive outfit, and these signings will be closely watched by fans as the season unfolds.