Chelsea not interested in signing Gomes as his Reds deal expires
FRANK Lampard insists Chelsea have not made any bid for free agent Angel Gomes.
The London-born 19-year-old left United yesterday after turning down a new contract with the Reds, and the highly-rated attacking midfielder’s services are now said to be in high demand.
Chelsea have been linked with a swoop for the England Under-20s star, but boss Lampard rejected any interest out of hand.
Asked if Chelsea have made a bid for Gomes, Lampard said: “Yes, I can elaborate to the point that it’s never been mentioned at my end; so that’s it.” And when asked if there is any interest, Lampard added: “No.”
Gomes was among 10 academyproduced stars who left the club officially yesterday at the end of their contracts.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Demetri Mitchell, Ethan Hamilton, Dion McGhee, George Tanner, Aidan Barlow, Kieran O’Hara, Alex Fojticek and Largie Ramazani have all left.
There will be many at United saddened by the departure of Gomes, given his obvious ability, having been tipped for a big Old Trafford future. But he wants more assurances over playing time and will seek a new club.
Having made his debut in May 2017 under Jose Mourinho, Gomes hasn’t risen as quickly as some imagined into the first team. He’s only made six appearances under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season.
The Reds are understood to have submitted several contract offers to the player, though he and his representatives have not agreed to sign an extension.
All the players being released are 19 or older and, for the likes of Barlow, Hamilton, O’Hara and Tanner who have had loan spells elsewhere, it will now give them a chance to secure new permanent clubs.
Left-back pair Borthwick-Jackson and Mitchell both depart too, having appeared close to the United first team at one stage.
The former, now 22, played 14 times but struggled on loan at Leeds, before more recent loan spells at Scunthorpe, Tranmere and Oldham.
Mitchell, 23, made his senior bow under Mourinho.
Full-back McGhee is attracting transfer interest from the Netherlands, Scotland and lower down the English football pyramid
It’s understood that a contract was offered to forward Ramazani, though the Belgian-born player, 19, has opted to seek a future elsewhere.