Atletico Madrid line up Wolves’ Joao Gomes to replace Conor Gallagher

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is reportedly eyeing up Wolves’ Joao Gomes to replace Conor Gallagher.

Gallagher completed his move to Tottenham on Wednesday after the north London club were forced to act in finding a replacement for Rodrigo Bentancur, who picked up a long-term hamstring injury at Bournemouth.

We have therefore decided to take a look at why the Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder could be a perfect fit to fill that current void in the centre of Atlético’s midfield.

Joao Gomes to force Wolves’ hand in the January

Gomes has played in all but one of Wolves’ 21 Premier League matches across 2025/26, only missing the defeat to Manchester United after being left out of the squad. He has also participated in both of Wolves’ other matches across all competitions this season.

A Wolves player for close to three years at the end of this month, the Brazilian baller has made over a century of appearances for the club, scoring seven goals and contributing four assists.

However, with Wolves in serious doubt of playing their football in the Championship for the first time in nine seasons, a move away could now be on the cards.

Gomes vs Gallagher – who comes out on top?

After 20 Premier League matches this season, only seven players have made more tackles than Gomes’ 51. Those players are João Palhinha (71), Tyrick Mitchell (65), Neco Williams (61), Florentino, James Garner, Elliot Anderson, and Adrien Truffert.

Fifty-one all-important tackles that have broken up potential scoring opportunities, divided by Gomes’ current 2025/26 league tally, is an average of 2.55 per match.

However, that doesn’t seem to have helped Wolves, who are rooted to the foot of the Premier League table with only one win from 21 matches, and are already 14 points adrift of safety.

Using a wider scale of comparison, over the last calendar year, Gallagher has made over 74 tackles at a rate of 2.4 per match. So, considering Gomes’ aforementioned statistics cover just this season, it would translate to him being a better option in that department than the England international.

However, when it comes down to interceptions over the last year, Gallagher comes out on top with 96 compared to Gomes’ 60, but the Portuguese marginally edges it in the block category by just one, 76 compared to 75.

Finally, in terms of clearances, Gomes is credited with having 41, while the former Atlético Madrid man has made 27. 

Your winner is…..

With Gomes coming out on top in three of those four respective departments (tackles, interceptions, blocks, and clearances), it would, on paper, make him a statistically better option than Gallagher.

Considering Gomes isn’t one to get his name on the scoresheet or even register an attacking return, none so far this season, his defensive attributes will certainly be what have attracted so many suitors.

Atlético will expect to face competition for Gomes’ signature if he does decide to move, with Napoli and Manchester United new manager Michael Carrick potentially taking second looks at the Brazilian.