Angel Gomes has turned down a contract offer by West Ham United, with Barcelona also interested in signing the 24-year-old LOSC Lille midfielder in a Bosman move.
According to a report by The Guardian, Angel Gomes is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers have offered a long-term contract with £100,000-a-week wages to the LOSC Lille midfielder, who has rejected the proposal as he wants a better salary.
However, West Ham might not have the funds to afford higher wages than £100,000 per week amid concerns about complying with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. So, the Hammers are not confident about securing an agreement with Gomes. Meanwhile, the Englishman is also a target for Barcelona.
Angel Gomes and his LOSC Lille journey
Angel Gomes has been one of the most dependable midfielders in Ligue 1 since joining LOSC Lille from Manchester United in a Bosman move in August 2020. While the 24-year-old has not been an undisputed first-choice starter throughout his stint with Les Dogues, he has been reliable in the middle of the park.
The English international has turned out nearly 150 times thus far for Lille while chipping in with ten goals and 19 assists. However, Gomes will leave the Ligue 1 club as a free agent in the summer transfer window when his contract runs out. Meanwhile, the player has no shortage of suitors pursuing him, with West Ham United and Barcelona among the prospective suitors vying for his signature heading into the summer transfer window.
A man in demand
West Ham United’s interest in Angel Gomes is understandable. Carlos Soler will unlikely complete a permanent move to the London Stadium after the 2024/25 season ends, while Guido Rodriguez might return to La Liga in the summer transfer window. So, the LOSC Lille midfielder has emerged as a viable target for West Ham. However, the Hammers have failed with a contract offer worth £100,000 per week, with the Englishman demanding higher wages.
As for Barcelona, it is unclear why the Catalan giants want a new midfielder, considering the exploits of Marc Casado, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, and Dani Olmo. However, Gomes presents a market opportunity due to his impending free-agent status. So, the Lille midfielder is an option worth considering for Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Gomes’s demands for a higher salary than £100,000 per week might not find a taker in West Ham, with the East London club struggling to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. So, it will be interesting to see where the 24-year-old English international lands next.
