According to The Manchester Evening News, Manchester United “risk” losing starlet Angel Gomes for nothing amid struggles to negotiate a new contract.
What’s the word?
The 19-year-old has barely featured for the Red Devils this season, making just four senior appearances across all competitions. The one time he made it onto the pitch in the Premier League, he was only on for a measly nine minutes.
And with his current contract with the club expiring at the end of this campaign, the Red Devils have understandably been locked in talks with the starlet. But according to The Manchester Evening News, Gomes’ representatives have been “left underwhelmed by the club’s terms”. The report adds that the teenager is attracting interest from European giants like Barcelona, and there is a sense of caution amongst his camp about his prospects of playing in the first-team for United.
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If a deal can’t be reached between the two sides, then Gomes will be able to walk away on a free transfer when his contract comes to an end in the summer.
Pogba deja vu
Make no mistake about it, United could seriously live to regret allowing Gomes leave on a free transfer. The Red Devils have already been burned by this kind of mistake before, when they watched Paul Pogba walk away to join Juventus when his contract expired. The Frenchman would then go on to become a cornerstone of Juventus’ series of domestic titles, and the Manchester side would have to spend a then-record fee of £89m to bring him back.
Whilst he has yet to score or assist at senior level, Gomes has shown his considerable talent for United’s academy sides. As per Transfermarkt, he has found the back of the net nine times and provided an assist on five separate occasions in 24 games for the U23s.
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And with both Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata struggling to really showcase their abilities on a consistent level for the first-team in that number ten role – the duo have combined for just two goals in 38 appearances this season – letting someone like Gomes walk away just makes no sense whatsoever. The Red Devils desperately need to learn their lessons or risk experiencing a sense of deja vu.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans have hailed this academy graduate for his commanding performance against Colchester.