Manchester United are being linked with a move for Angel Gomes – the midfielder who was once the gem of their academy before his abrupt departure five years ago
Manchester United are being linked with a move for Angel Gomes – the midfielder who was once the gem of their academy before his abrupt departure five years ago Manchester United are being linked with a move for Angel Gomes – the midfielder who was once the gem of their academy before his abrupt departure five years ago
Manchester United once feared they’d have to fork out an astronomical fee like they did for Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho to get Angel Gomes back – but their former academy gem will be available for nothing in the summer.
For decades, joining Manchester United was seen as something of a career launchpad for players, but now, in many ways, it’s the opposite.
These days, top stars often find their careers stagnating or regressing at Old Trafford, while those who leave frequently experience a resurgence. Case in point: Angel Gomes, who recently broke into the England national team setup.
Gomes, 24, was on United’s books for 14 years, having initially signed on as a six-year-old. As he rose through the ranks, the club were well aware of his potential and earmarked him for a place in the first team someday. He made his senior debut under Jose Mourinho, aged just 16, but spent most of the next three years on the bench or in the stands.
As a result, Gomes made the bold decision to leave, rejecting a substantial offer on his way out. According to The Evening Standard, United chiefs were immediately scared that he could turn into another Pogba or Sancho after his exit.
He joined Lille in 2020 and has steadily blossomed into the player United always hoped he would become – just not in their colours. But according to reports, a return to Old Trafford could be on the cards in January.
Gomes’ contract with Lille expires at the end of the season, which means the Red Devils have the opportunity to snap him up on the cheap – or possibly for free in the summer. Head coach Ruben Amorim is a big fan of the midfielder and reportedly considered making an approach for him while at Sporting CP.
His contractual situation offers the club a rare opportunity to right the wrongs of their past by re-signing a former starlet who slipped through their fingers without breaking the bank for him – like they did with Paul Pogba. Back in the early 2010s, Pogba was the gem of United’s academy but quit the club due to a lack of assurances over first-team football.
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Four years later, United re-signed him from Juventus for a then-world record £89million fee – a hefty price tag the Frenchman largely failed to justify. Similarly, United spent a fortune on Jadon Sancho, who, like Pogba, had left Manchester as a young prodigy – not from United’s academy, but from Manchester City’s – before blossoming into one of Europe’s top talents at Dortmund.
Though United had no hand in Sancho’s initial departure, they still paid a similarly steep price for his services. The financial damage, compounded by the winger’s underwhelming three-year spell at Old Trafford, echoes the costly Pogba saga – a mistake the club will be determined to avoid repeating in the future.
Re-signing Gomes might be easier said than done, though. The London-born star is reportedly wanted by several English clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle, as well as overseas teams, such as Atletico Madrid and Napoli.
There are currently no signs that he’ll renew with Lille, and with less than six months remaining on his contract, he’s now free to speak with other clubs outside of France.
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Gomes, who has missed a decent chunk of the season through injury, made his England debut under Lee Carsley, who coached in the Three Lions’ youth setup last year and now has four senior caps to his name. It felt like a long time coming for those who always rated the midfielder.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a known admirer of the midfielder and was desperate for him to sign a new deal before his exit. The 24-year-old has also earned rave reviews in France for his performances, having established himself as a key component of Lille’s side.
Despite the wealth of talent at England head coach Thomas Tuchel’s disposal, few would bet against Gomes playing a significant role in the German’s plans moving forward – particularly if he secures a return to the Premier League this month.
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