• Atletico Madrid strike €45m agreement for Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes
• Brazilian international set to exit relegated Premier League side
• Transfer completion expected next week after final home clash with Burnley
• Diego Simeone strengthens squad centre following injury struggles

Atletico Madrid have reached a preliminary agreement to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes. The Spanish club will pay €45 million for the Brazilian international.

The 25-year-old is expected to leave Molineux after Wolves dropped to the Championship this season. Officials aim to complete the transfer next week.

Manager Diego Simeone initially targeted Atalanta’s Ederson. However, Manchester United’s interest in the same player increased his price tag. This forced Atletico to switch their focus to Gomes.

The midfielder will bid farewell to supporters this Sunday. Wolves face Burnley in their final home fixture of the campaign.

Gomes has not featured for the Brazil national team for more than one year. He recently missed selection for the World Cup squad.

The centre of the pitch has caused problems for Simeone this term. Club captain Koke is now 34 years old. Youngsters Pablo Barrios and Johnny Cardoso have suffered frequent injuries.

Gomes excels at winning possession and driving forward with the ball. He will likely compete with Cardoso for a starting role at the Wanda Metropolitano.

• Atletico Madrid are prepared to listen to offers for five first-team squad members
• Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth is attracting attention from Barcelona and AC Milan
• Club captain Koke is expected to sign a one-year contract extension
• The futures of Jan Oblak and Jose Maria Gimenez remain uncertain due to wage and transfer speculation
• The Rojiblancos are reportedly closing in on Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes

Diego Simeone’s side are prepared to entertain bids for five senior players this summer, with one name particularly catching the attention of Catalan giants Barcelona. The Rojiblancos’ European campaign ended at the semi-final stage against Arsenal earlier this week. Now, attention at the Metropolitano turns to reshaping the squad ahead of next season.

Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth heads the list of available talent. The forward has emerged as a potential target for Barcelona, who view him as a cheaper option to replace ageing star Robert Lewandowski. Italian side AC Milan have also registered interest in the former Real Sociedad man.

Defender Robin Le Normand, who joined from Real Sociedad for €35 million just two summers ago, surprisingly features among those available. Argentine trio Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and Clement Lenglet also face uncertain futures at the club.

In contrast, club skipper Koke looks set to extend his stay by twelve months. Spanish midfielder Marcos Llorente also appears likely to remain in the Spanish capital. However, question marks hang over goalkeeper Jan Oblak and defender Jose Maria Gimenez. The Slovenian shot-stopper could leave due to his substantial wages, whilst the Uruguayan centre-back has attracted transfer speculation in recent months.

Sporting Director Mateu Alemany has already begun strengthening the midfield. The club are reportedly nearing an agreement to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers star Joao Gomes when the window opens. It promises to be another busy summer in Madrid, with sixteen new arrivals having already joined during the past two years.