Man United tracking FC Porto winger William Gomes with €80m release clause

Manchester United have placed themselves among the growing list of admirers tracking FC Porto winger William Gomes. The 20-year-old Brazilian has made a swift impression since arriving in Portugal from Sao Paulo in January 2025 and is now considered one of the more promising young attackers in the Primeira Liga.

United are not alone in their interest. Rivals from the Premier League, including Arsenal and Newcastle United, are also keeping tabs on Gomes. The interest is not limited to England, with Atletico Madrid and Roma understood to be watching his development closely. No formal approach has been made, but the buzz around the player is building as clubs weigh up their options for the summer transfer window.

Gomes operates primarily as a winger and is comfortable on either flank. That versatility would be a significant asset for a United side that has lacked consistency and genuine threat from wide areas in recent campaigns. The Red Devils have often struggled to stretch defences and produce reliable one-on-one moments, and Gomes fits the profile of a direct, unpredictable wide man who can rotate across the front line.

The 20-year-old's current deal with Porto includes an €80m release clause, though reports suggest the Portuguese club could be willing to negotiate closer to the €45m mark. For United, that represents a substantial outlay for potential, but given the market for young attacking talent, it is not out of step with modern fees. The key is whether the club can execute the deal without repeating expensive mistakes from previous windows.

Gomes has already shown he can adapt quickly to European football. His dribbling, pace and ability to cut inside or go to the byline make him a handful for defenders. That direct style is precisely what United have lacked at times, and his age means there is still room for growth under the right coaching structure. However, the competition for his signature is likely to be fierce, and United may need to move decisively if they want to land him.

Porto are known for driving hard bargains when selling their star assets, but the €45m figure, if accurate, could represent a fair price for a player who has already shown flashes of top-level quality. United will have to weigh that against their wider rebuild priorities. Staying in the race and monitoring Porto's stance seems the logical next step, but with several heavyweight clubs circling, this is a transfer saga that could escalate quickly as the summer window approaches.