ANGEL GOMES remains a major target for Manchester United under new boss Ruben Amorim.
Red Devils‘ transfer gurus Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox believe the four-cap England star can be a crucial part of new boss Amorim’s masterplan for success.
The Portuguese coach is right behind the possible move because he is a long-time admirer of the 24-year-old midfielder.
Gomes departed from United for Lille on a free transfer in 2020 and his five-year contract expires next summer.
The French club are resigned to losing £25million-rated Gomes, with Tottenham also having the London-born ace on their radar.
Gomes can speak to clubs in January about signing a pre-contract agreement.
But United believe the star, who grew up in Salford, can be lured back to Manchester as a probable long-term replacement for Casemiro.
Gomes said on the chances of a sensational return to Old Trafford last month: “There’ll always be that sentimental soft spot, so of course it’d be difficult to say no.”
He joined United aged six and broke into the under-18 side aged only 14.
He became the club’s youngest player since Duncan Edwards in 1953 to make his top flight debut aged 16 years and 263 days, given the last two minutes of a 2 -0 win over Crystal Palace in May 2017.
RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.
But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.
Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:
VIKTOR GYOKERES
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Cost: £84million
Swede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.
Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.
GONCALO INACIO
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Cost: £50million
Ball-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.
Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.
MORTEN HJULMAND
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
Cost: £40million
Dane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.
He could be the man to replace Casemiro.
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Arsenal have also been tipped to pursue the four-cap star.
And Gunners’ legend Lee Dixon reckons he’d “fit superbly” into Mikel Arteta‘s plans.
Dixon told plejmo.com: “He’s a very good link-up player and we’ve seen that he can play alongside Declan Rice.
“He’s got a lot of potential and although there will be plenty of clubs looking at him, I could see him at Arsenal next season.”
