Transfer News
Man United can strike bargain transfer for £23m England star that Roy Keane and Ian Wright love -Report
Man United can strike bargain transfer for £23m England star that Roy Keane and Ian Wright love -Report
Angel Gomes has been linked with a return to the Premier League as the former Manchester United midfielder enters the final months of his contract at Lille
As Angel Gomes is closer to leaving Lille, Manchester United may be able to bring him back to Old Trafford at a deep discount. The England international’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign.
He joined the French team about four and a half years ago. After making just 10 appearances for United’s first team, Gomes, a graduate of the United youth, relocated to France.
Under Lee Carsley, the 24-year-old has established himself at Lille and made his England debut last month when the Three Lions defeated the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.
There are no signs that Gomes will extend his contract with Lille, according to L’Equipe.
By year’s end, if he doesn’t sign a new contract, he will be free to sign a pre contract with a non french team
United, reportedly already interested in Gomes, could therefore pursue his signature at the earliest opportunity. The midfielder, who is attracting interest from clubs across Europe, recently spoke about a potential return to the Premier League in an interview with The Times earlier this month.
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“As amazing as it would be, after finding happiness abroad I know [playing in the Premier League] is not the be-all and end-all,” said Gomes. “There’ll always be that sentimental soft spot, so of course it’d be difficult to say no.”
Gomes, a regular starter for Lille in Ligue 1 this season, received high praise from Roy Keane and Ian Wright following his standout performance on his full England debut against Finland. And, Nicky Butt, who coached the former United youngster at the club’s academy, recently expressed his belief in the youngster’s potential.
He said: “I think he can do better than some of the teams that will be in for him in the Premier League. The Spanish league is written all over for Angel. He could play in the Premier League easily. He could play for [Manchester] City tomorrow.”
Reflecting on Gomes’ departure from United, Butt shared his past encouragement to the player. “When Angel left United, I said to him, ‘You’re going to go on and have an unbelievable career and I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up playing against Manchester United for Barcelona or Real Madrid in the next five, six, seven years’. Because he was that good.”
Butt said that his current praise was not just because of the £23.4m-rated playmaker’s breakthrough on the international stage, adding: “And I’m not just saying that now that he’s made his England debut, I genuinely thought that a long time ago.”