Atletico Madrid 'abandoning' $46M transfer after player made Liverpool wish clear
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Liverpool FC NewsLiverpool FCAtletico Madrid had reportedly been close to signing a player who Liverpool are known to be fans of, with Andoni Iraola now having a chance to consider bringing him at a position of need08:59, 10 Jul 2026Updated 08:59, 10 Jul 2026Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes appears to be available(Image: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)Atletico Madrid has reportedly walked away from a deal to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes after being linked with a $46 million move to sign him this summer.A Brazilian international, Gomes is likely to be looking for a new club after Wolves was relegated from the Premier League last season - despite him having back-to-back impressive years individually. Gomes has 10 caps for Brazil, while being the club's best performer while playing in defensive midfield - a position of need for the Reds.The La Liga team was heavily interested in bringing him in and made a sizeable offer, but have instead appeared to decide to go with another player at the position.
They have offered over $50 million for Sporting Lisbon's Morten Hjulmand, with some outlets reporting that the deal is already done.Atletico is almost certainly not going to be in for Gomes and Hjulmand, meaning the Brazilian is likely now available once again - having already made his thoughts clear on joining the Reds.In a 2022 interview with ESPN Brazil, the South American was open about his desire to play at Anfield for Liverpool."Liverpool is a team I would play for," Gomes said. Playing in the Champions League is my biggest dream and that of my family, my biggest dream in football."Liverpool's transfer business is expected to ramp up after the World Cup ends(Image: (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))Wolves' players' player of the season, Gomes has three years experience in the Premier League - and could be signed for a cheaper deal due to the club's relegation.Liverpool have had success in recent years in signing players from relegated teams.
They brought in Andy Robertson, Gini Wijnaldum and Xherdan Shaqiri after their teams had dropped out of the Premier League.Many Reds fans would argue that Gomes is a player which Liverpool needs, having been overly reliant on Ryan Gravenberch in the defensive midfield role over the past two seasons.Liverpool has been linked with both Adam Wharton and Joao Gomes(Image: Photo Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)Liverpool.com says: "While Gravenberch has impressed at defensive midfield, the Reds lack a player to sit in front of the defense and spring attacks - something Fabinho did so well."Some may argue that Gomes is not this profile of player, being of a similar ilk to Gravenberch. But Gomes is clearly a player who they are a fan of and can be acquired for cheaper than his market value."This is the kind of deal which Jurgen Klopp's Reds loved to go for."Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCWolverhampton Wanderers FC