Former Man United star Angel Gomes completes move to Olympique de Marseille | OneFootball

Former Manchester United star Angel Gomes has completed a move to Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille despite reports linking the midfielder with a return to Old Trafford.

Gomes, 24, entered the Red Devils’ academy as a six-year-old and quickly progressed through the ranks, earning plaudits for his outstanding technical ability, despite a diminutive frame.

Gomes was named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year in 2017, making him the youngest recipient of the award in the club’s history. He made his senior debut for the club in May 2017 at just 16 years of age, coming on to replace Wayne Rooney and becoming the youngest player to represent United since Duncan Edwards.

Gomes was unable to make a foray into the first-team at Old Trafford, however. United were keen to renegotiate a new deal for the midfielder but he left his boyhood club in 2020 when his contract expired.

LOSC Lille secured Gomes’ signature on a free transfer with a five-year contract, immediately loaning him to Liga Portugal side Boavista for the 2020/21 campaign.

Gomes enjoyed an impressive season for the Porto side, playing 30 times in the league with six goals and six assists. The youngster then returned to France for the 2021/22 season, establishing himself as a key part of Lille’s team over the next few years.

Gomes would go on to make his senior debut for England after brilliant performances for the U21 side, capped off by winning the U21 European Championship in 2023 with the midfielder one of the best players in the tournament.

Gomes’ contract with Lille was set to expire this summer and the club were unable to reach an agreement over a renewal, leaving the 24-year-old free to negotiate with prospective suitors.

A host of clubs in the Premier League expressed interest, including United, as Gomes offers a profile of midfielder which is uncommon in England – a deep-lying playmaker whose quality stems from skill over strength; brains over brawn.

A move to Old Trafford would have helped buttress United’s midfield with an academy star who knows the club and offers a complimentary replacement to Christian Eriksen, who departed on a free transfer this week.

But United’s interest in a return for Gomes never materialised into a genuine pursuit with Ligue 1 giant Marseille stealing a march in the race for the 24-year-old, setting up a reunion with fellow Carrington graduate Mason Greenwood.

Fabrizio Romano confirms Gomes has sealed a free transfer to Marseille on a three-year contract with a medical ongoing today to finalise the move.

Tweet: “Angel Gomes to Olympique Marseille, here we go! Medical ongoing today after deal completed. Gomes, in Marseille to sign a three year deal at OM after leaving Lille as free agent. One more important addition ahead of UCL season for OM.”

Feature image by Adrien Dennis via Getty Images

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