Manchester United once feared they would have to pay an astronomical sum like they did for Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho to get back Angel Gomes, but their former youth jewel will be available for nothing this summer.
For decades, joining Manchester United has been seen as something of a launching point for players' careers, but now it's the opposite in many ways.
These days, top stars often find their careers stagnate or decline at Old Trafford, while those who leave often experience a resurgence. Case in point: Angel Gomes, who recently broke into the England national team lineup.
Gomes, 24, was on United's books for 14 years after initially signing as a six-year-old. As he rose through the ranks, the club were well aware of his potential and one day reserved him for a first-team place. 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 brave decision to leave, turning down a substantial offer on the way out. According to The Evening Standard, United's chiefs were immediately concerned that he could turn into another Pogba or Sancho after his departure.
He joined Lille in 2020 and steadily developed 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, meaning the Red Devils have the chance to sign him cheaply – or possibly for free in the summer. Head coach Ruben Amorim is a big fan of the midfielder and has reportedly considered approaching him at Sporting CP.
His contractual situation offers the club a rare opportunity to right the wrongs of the past by re-signing a former star who slipped through their fingers without breaking the bank for him – as they did with Paul Pogba. In early 2010, Pogba was the jewel of United's youth academy, but he left the club due to a lack of certainty about first-team football.
Four years later, United signed him again from Juventus for a then world record £89 million, a hefty price tag that 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 – before blossoming into one of Europe's top talents at Dortmund.
Although United had no control over Sancho's initial departure, they still paid a similarly high price for his services. The financial damage, compounded by the disappointing three-year spell at Old Trafford, echoes the costly Pogba saga – a mistake the club will be determined to avoid repeating in the future.
However, re-signing Gomes is easier said than done. The London-born star is reportedly wanted by several English clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle, as well as foreign teams such as Atletico Madrid and Napoli.
There are currently no signs of him renewing at Lille, and with less than six months remaining on his contract, he is now free to talk to other clubs outside France.
Gomes, who has missed a significant part of the season through injury, made his England debut under Lee Carsley, who coached in the Three Lions youth academy last year and now has four senior caps to his name. It seemed like a long time coming for those who used to rate the midfielder.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a known admirer of the midfielder and desperately hoped he would sign a new contract before his departure. The 24-year-old has also received rave reviews in France for his performances as he has established himself as a key part of the Lille squad.
Despite the wealth of talent at England head coach Thomas Tuchel's disposal, few would bet on Gomes playing a major role in the German's plans, especially if he secures a return to the Premier League this month.
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