Angel gomes has been linked with a move to Barcelona (Getty Images)
According to a report from Goal.com (h/t Metro), Manchester United starlet Angel Gomes has failed to agree on a new contract with the club and is set to leave on a free transfer in the summer. The attacking midfielder has been linked with a switch to Chelsea.
Raised in Salford, the 19-year-old Gomes has been a part of Manchester United’s youth setup since 2006. The youngster made his first-team debut in May 2017, in a Premier League match. In the process, he became the first player born in the 2000s to feature in the English top-flight.
However, since then, the teenager hasn’t been able to carve out a place in the Manchester United first-team, making just 10 senior appearances so far.
In spite of it, Manchester United have been trying to tie down his long-term future at the club. However, the club’s £30,000-a-week offer seems to have been turned down by Gomes. This has left the door open for Chelsea to sign the teenager on a free transfer this summer. (h/t Metro)
Chelsea, technically, did not sign any players in the last two transfer windows (although Christian Pulisic did join the club), while Mateo Kovacic’s transfer was made permanent. In Frank Lampard’s first season as the manager, the Blues have done a solid job, sitting fourth in the Premier League table.
The former England international has built a young and vibrant team at Stamford Bridge that has performed well, albeit inconsistently this season. And for the team to take the next step, reinforcements in the summer transfer window are necessary.
Chelsea have Mason Mount, Ross Barkley and Kovacic as options for the attacking midfield slot, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek will also be raring to go after having missed the entire campaign with an injury. Furthermore, they have already secured the signing of Hakim Ziyech, strengthening an already well-stacked midfield unit.
So given the options available at Lampard’s disposal, signing Gomes seems like a redundant move. Having said that, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder is a precocious talent. And Chelsea should not miss the opportunity of signing him on a free transfer.
Gomes was a key member of the England U17 side that won the U17 FIFA World Cup back in 2017. The 19-year-old has performed well at each age group level for the Three Lions, while being one of the best players for Manchester United’s youth teams. The attacking midfielder has scored 10 goals and created 7 more in 27 matches for the Red Devils’ U23 side.
Signing him would add more depth and quality to the Chelsea midfield. The Blues would also get their hands on a talented player for the future.
Chelsea have plenty of options in the attacking midfield position. However, given the potential that Gomes has shown in his burgeoning career, Chelsea should look to add to him to their squad in the summer. More so, considering the fact that he would be available on a free transfer.
