Andreas Pereira's 'role' in Manchester United missing out on Brazilian midfielder Liverpool now want

Joao Gomes is one of the new names to keep an eye out for in future transfer markets.

The 21-year-old has been a regular face in the midfield of Flamengo in his native Brazil since 2020.

Recent reports suggest that he has attracted the interest of Manchester United and Liverpool, with both clubs said to be weighing up a potential move for him in the upcoming January transfer window. Now, it has emerged a former United player could potentially have been involved in a swap deal last summer.

Andreas Pereira ended an 11-year stay at Old Trafford this summer, joining Fulham. But his final loan spell while still officially a United player came with Flamengo, where he played alongside Gomes in midfield. Now, talkSPORT claim a swap deal was potentially in the offing that would have seen Pereira stay in Brazil permanently and Gomes move to Old Trafford.

Tim Vickery, South American football expert, told the station: "It looked like they [United] might have been interested in him [Joao Gomes] when Andreas Pereira was on loan from United at Flamengo.

"There was speculation that in exchange for that deal they might take Joao Gomes, but they didn’t. In the end Pereira ended up going to Fulham."

Despite United clearly holding interest in the youngster, Gomes recently used his Instagram account to profess his desire to play for one of their biggest rivals. He posted: "Liverpool are a team I’d play for. I have the greatest desire to play. Playing in the Champions League is my biggest dream in football."