West Ham United Keen On This Manchester United Flop: Why They Must Not Give Up The Chase | OneFootball

If a report from The Guardian is believed to be true, West Ham United are eyeing a summer swoop for Angel Gomes who will be available on a Bosman transfer. But they are not confident enough to strike a deal given Barcelona’s interest in the Lille midfield ace and the Hammers’ compulsion to comply with Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.

The 24-year-old England international was one of many bright prospects to flourish through Manchester United’s esteemed academy ranks. He represented his nation at all youth levels and was pivotal to their 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup triumph. However, Gomes failed to secure enough senior minutes and eventually joined Lille as a free agent in the summer of 2020 following 10 first-team appearances for the Red Devils.

While he rejected a new contract offer at his boyhood club to ply his trade to France, the Ligue 1 side immediately loaned him out to Portuguese top-tier outfit Boavista after tying him down on a five-year deal. The season-long spell helped Gomes grow his game and develop skills before securing a key status in Lille’s midfield.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 11: Bafode Diakite of Lille celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Angel Gomes during the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 Quarter-final first leg match between Aston Villa and Lille OSC at Villa Park on April 11, 2024, in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The Three Lions star has exhibited his versatility in the centre of the pitch but was utilized as a deep-lying playmaker during England U21s’ European Championship triumph in 2023 under Lee Carsley. Carsley, the interim England boss following Gareth Southgate’s egress, also handed him his senior international debut last September.

Despite a bright start across competitions, Gomes has featured sporadically during the second half of the ongoing campaign. New England chief Thomas Tuchel has preferred 34-year-old Jordan Henderson for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia ahead of the Mastiffs’ midfielder.

Why West Ham United Must Not Give Up The Chase

West Ham United have offered a £100,000-a-week salary, which, they believe, is not high enough to secure his services. But they are at risk of breaching PSR compliance, something the board, as well as manager Graham Potter, must abide by to avoid a point deduction or further punishments.

The Irons are desperate to offload several names including Konstantinos Mavropanos, Emerson Palmieri, Guido Rodríguez and Niclas Füllkrug to reduce the wage bill. Danny Ings does not belong to Potter’s plans and is unlikely to be offered an extension beyond this season. Also, Carlos Soler and Evan Ferguson, currently on loan in East London, will return to their parent clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Brighton and Hove Albion. The exits could generate funds in the coming days, and therefore, streamline Gomes’ return to English football.