Atletico Madrid are closing in on their first major signing of the summer, and it's a move that could shake up the midfield. After a quiet January window—where they missed out on Conor Gallagher and instead brought in young prospects Rodrigo Mendoza and Obed Vargas—the Spanish giants are back in business.

Their top target? Joao Gomes, the Brazilian midfielder currently impressing at Wolves. Atletico had been eyeing both Atalanta's Ederson dos Santos and Wolves' Gomes back in January, but couldn't get either deal over the line. Now, it seems they've shifted focus to the 25-year-old Gomes, who has been a consistent starter in the Premier League since his €15m move from Flamengo in 2023.

According to Ben Jacobs, Atletico are in advanced talks with both Wolves and Gomes over a deal worth around €45m. That's a significant jump from the €15m Wolves paid just two years ago, but Gomes' performances have earned him 10 caps for Brazil, and his energy in midfield has caught the eye of top clubs across Europe.

The timing is interesting, too. Reports suggest that Atletico's primary target, Ederson, is now closer to joining Manchester United after the Premier League side improved their offer. That may have pushed Sporting Director Mateu Alemany to accelerate plans for Gomes, who would slot into a competitive midfield alongside Pablo Barrios, Koke Resurreccion, and Johnny Cardoso.

For Atletico fans, this signing signals intent. After a season of transition, adding a proven, dynamic midfielder like Gomes could be the spark they need to challenge on multiple fronts next season. And for Wolves, it's a chance to triple their investment on a player who has grown into a key figure at Molineux.