Latest developments
- Manchester United want to re-sign academy graduate Angel Gomes.
- Gomes is seen as a long-term replacement for Casemiro.
- His current deal at Lille expires at the end of the season.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (2.5/5): Mail not the source of the story
Man Utd are looking to bring their academy product Angel Gomes back to Old Trafford in the summer of 2025, five years after he left the club to join French side Lille.
That is according to the Daily Mail newspaper, who are not one of the go-to sources for transfer news, though they appear to have picked up the story from elsewhere.
Value (5/5): Gomes' contract running down
A Gomes transfer might appear like poor business for United at first, but Gomes' contract is expiring at the end of the season, meaning the player rated €28 million by Transfermarkt will be available for nothing.
That valuation was made before he won his first four England caps and impressed under Lee Carsley, only raising his value.
Suitability (4/5): Gomes would add versatility
Since making 10 first-team appearances for the Red Devils, Gomes has split his time at Lille between central and attacking midfield, with occasional runouts in defensive midfield and on both flanks.
His flexibility would no doubt be a bonus as Ruben Amorim looks to restructure his side, and his performances of late show he is more than ready for a second shot at the Premier League.
Upgrade? (3/5): But where will he fit in?
The British newspapers are claiming that Gomes is being sought as a long-term replacement for Casemiro, which would be quite a gamble. Defensive midfield is only a tertiary position for Gomes, and though Casemiro has lost some of his magic lately, is Gomes the man to replace him?
Further forward, he would face real competition from Bruno Fernandes, but with Christian Eriksen's contract running down, there will be a vacancy for a centre-midfielder at Old Trafford.
Logic (4/5): Should Gomes go back?
They say you should never go back! Gomes, now 24, was part of the United academy system since he was six years old. Will he want to prove himself at the second time of asking, or will he be more tempted by a move to Tottenham or Arsenal, who are also said to be interested?
“Do I imagine myself coming back one day? Obviously, it's home,” he told L'Equipe recently.
Whisper+ verdict: 18.5/25
Unlike their rumoured interest in Alvaro Carreras, this buy-back deal will be much better business for Man Utd, and leave them with less egg on their faces. Crucially, it seems Gomes would be open to making it happen, too.
