Manchester United fear that Barcelona could be about to snatch young midfielder Angel Gomes away from Old Trafford, as the player looks for more first-team action.
The 17-year old became the youngest player to play for United since Duncan Edwards when he made his debut against Crystal Palace in the final game of last season. Since then, he has gone on to star for England in their Under-17 World Cup triumph in India last month.
However, with his immediate path to the first-team in Manchester blocked by the sheer weight of competition, there are now fears that the youngster could be tempted abroad, with the player’s father telling a Portuguese television station last week that all of the top clubs in Europe were interested in his teenage son.
Barcelona are said to be in pole position to sign him, amidst reports that they have already scouted him several times.
Gomes has been at Old Trafford since the age of six but, because he has yet to sign a professional contract with them, would be eligible for a move, with United only receiving a nominal fee in recompense.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.