Former Manchester United midfielder Angel Gomes is set to sign for Marseille after announcing his departure from LOSC Lille in May.
The 24-year-old had been linked with moves to Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and even a return to Old Trafford when it became clear that he wasn’t going to renew his contract with Les Dogues.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is rumoured to have been a long-term fan of Gomes and was hoping the Englishman’s affection for United would help with the free transfer.
Speaking in October 2024, Gomes spoke on the possibility of a return to Old Trafford, saying, “There’ll always be that sentimental soft spot. So, of course, it’d be difficult to say no.”
Unfortunately for Amorim, Gomes is now expected to sign a three-year deal with Lille’s league rivals, Marseille, where former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi currently manages. The move will also see him join fellow ex-United forward Mason Greenwood in the South of France, where the pair will play Champions League football next season.
Gomes, who joined Lille in 2020, also had a spell on loan with Portuguese side Boavista but has won admirers after making his England debut under interim manager Lee Carsley in 2024. Gomes was also part of Carsley’s England U-21 squad that won the European Championships in 2023.
During his time in France, Gomes made 134 appearances for Lille, scoring 10 times and registering 19 assists. He was even Ligue 1’s joint top assister in 2023/24 with eight.
Where does this leave Manchester United?
Missing out on Gomes is another setback for United, who face a vital summer rebuild following their worst-ever Premier League finish and a Europa League final defeat. Manager Ruben Amorim is expected to be backed, but his top targets are slipping away.
With Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee both rumoured to be on the way out, United have moved quickly to sign Matheus Cunha, while continuing to monitor Viktor Gyökeres, Amorim’s former striker at Sporting. But competition from Arsenal, who can offer Champions League football, could scupper that deal too.
Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is also on Amorim’s wishlist and could switch London for Manchester after his best-ever season, in which he scored 20 PL goals. United may have to splash the cash once again to sign the Cameroon international, with rumours of a deal needing to be around a similar level as the £62.5 million they had to spend to bring Cunha in.
Despite missing out on Angel Gomes, United may continue to look for midfield reinforcements with Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha on the shortlist as they look for long-term replacements for Casemiro. Dortmund may be willing to see Nmecha leave if they can confirm a deal with Sunderland for Jude Bellingham’s younger brother, Jobe.
Amorim will, however, be boosted by the news that his captain, Bruno Fernandes, has rejected a big-money move to Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese international announced in early June that he wouldn’t be pursuing a move to Al-Hilal as he wants to keep playing football at the highest level.
United are also rumoured to be chasing a new goalkeeper after two tumultuous seasons with Andre Onana in between the sticks. The Cameroon international has looked unreliable at times and was even dropped by Amorim toward the end of the season for backup Altay Bayandir.
Aston Villa and Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez is rumoured to be the player that United are hoping to bring in. The World Cup winner was sent off during the final match of the season for Villa, in which they lost to Manchester United.