Liam Keen shares what is ‘puzzling’ from a Wolves perspective about Joao Gomes to Man United links

January is going to be fascinating at Wolves, not least regarding the immediate future of Joao Gomes.

In recent days, speculation has really intensified about the Wolves midfielder.

Gomes is admired by Manchester United, and it was initially felt that the Red Devils would try and swoop for him next summer.

But United feel Gomes is more attainable than some other players they’ve been looking at, and could now bring forward their plans for a new midfielder.

Wolves, of course, are under serious threat of relegation.

If the club have been cut adrift, then it’s very possible that Wolves will end up selling Gomes in order to extract greater value.

Amid the speculation, Liam Keen has offered a new update on the Brazilian.

No contact over Joao Gomes between Wolves and Man United as price tag questioned

A number of reports have emerged from overseas recently suggesting that Wolves and Manchester United have been in talks over Gomes regarding a potential move.

But earlier this week David Ornstein said there’d been no contact over Gomes, and E&S journalist Liam Keen has now reiterated that information.

Keen has laid out the current situation as he understands it, and while there’s nothing major happening right now, there is definitely a chance that Gomes could go. He also suggested that £44 million price tag that’s been doing the rounds may not be accurate.

He said on the E&S podcast: “The facts are this. There’s been no contact between the two clubs. There’s no agreement, no agreement close, or anything like that.

“There’s been a £44 million fee that’s been doing the rounds. I think from a Wolves perspective it’s a bit puzzling where that’s come from really. So park that to one side.

“At the moment, there’s nothing in the sense of him going anywhere. Wolves’ position is pretty firm. That if they have an opportunity to stay up in January he will be going nowhere. They’ve got no interest in selling him whatsoever. From my perspective, if Wolves are 100% going down or as close to that, and there’s a very serious offer of very good money that would be difficult to turn down, I could definitely see potential of a move. But it would have to be the right thing financially for the club.

“Gomes is not a player, I think, at all who’d be the kind of character to kick up a stink and try to force his way out of the club. He’s very fond of Wolves, absolutely. But he’ll also be desperate to get in the Brazil World Cup squad.”

• READ MORE: Who is Joao Gomes? Everything you need to know about Wolves’ ferocious midfield talent

Extra incentive for Wolves not to get cut adrift

It is sounding very much as though Wolves are going to take a decision on Gomes based on how things look for the club in terms of Premier League survival.

Seemingly, Wolves are ready to keep hold of Gomes, but that stance will relax if things go really terribly and the club get completely cut adrift.

The comment from Keen about the £44 million price tag is interesting, as well.

Maybe if Wolves do become open to selling, they will seek to demand a higher fee than that – certainly, it cannot be lower.