Angel Gomes is on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs after starring for England – but the midfielder has always left the door open to a return to Manchester United.
The Lille star was a surprise inclusion in Lee Carsley’s first England squad, making his debut off the bench against the Republic of Ireland last Saturday.
Handed a starting role against Finland on Tuesday, the 24-year-old was a controlling presence in midfield, stitching play together neatly as he demonstrated his technical ability on the ball in a fine debut performance.
A number of Premier League clubs watched Gomes shine in the 2-0 win with Tottenham’s interest in him pre-dating his England call-up. Newcastle United and Liverpool have reportedly joined the race for his services with Borussia Dortmund also interested.
Gomes is in the final year of his contract at Lille and could leave on a free transfer next summer or for a modest fee in January.
Before moving to France, he had been backed for a starring role at United, emerging from the academy to make his first-team debut at 16. Gomes replaced Wayne Rooney on the final day of the season against Crystal Palace in 2017, becoming the club’s youngest debutant since the legendary Duncan Edwards.
Gomes would leave United in the summer of 2020 however with just a handful of further appearances, turning down the club’s offer of a new contract to pursue greater first-team football opportunities.
Lille – also via a loan spell in Portugal with Boavista – have provided that, but the midfielder could now be ready for the next step in his career.
While there are a growing number of clubs interested in his services, Gomes indicated last year returning to United to play in the first-team remains a dream of his.
Do I imagine myself coming back one day? Obviously, it’s home,’ Gomes told L’Equipe in November 2022.
‘I would love to come back. But you never know in football. I just have to keep my feet on the ground, and keep playing, making the most of it. I can’t predict what will happen in the future.’
United have just spent £52million on Manuel Ugarte with the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder hoping to make his debut against Southampton this weekend.
But even with his arrival, United’s midfield options are an injury away from looking wafer-thin again. Erik ten Hag’s side are still lacking a player who can sit deep and control the game, the sort of player United legend Paul Scholes demanded the club bring in during the summer transfer window.
While Toby Collyer is highly-regarded at the club, Casemiro’s decline and Christian Eriksen’s likely exit next summer means there is certainly room for improvement. A homecoming for Gomes could be a shrewd option in 2025.
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