Manchester United have expressed an interest in signing Porto winger William Gomes this summer, according to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha (page 28).
The Red Devils recently reached an agreement to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson. The Brazil international will formally join the club after his medical next month.
The club could pursue another marquee midfielder in the coming weeks, while the focus could also lie on bolstering the attack with a winger who prefers to play on the left.
Correio da Manha today claim that United are among the interested clubs in Gomes alongside Atletico, but Porto are quite clear that the 20-year-old won’t leave on the cheap.
The Sao Paulo graduate has a £69 million release clause in his contract. Porto want at least £52m to sanction his sale, given his former club are owed 20 percent of the sell-on fee.
The valuation has already been informed to the player’s suitors. It is deemed to be ‘too high’ despite his young age and huge potential. Porto could be prepared to keep him next term.
United should pursue a new winger with big-game experience
Gomes had a good breakout season with the Portuguese champions last term. The Brazilian notched up 13 goals and two assists from just over 2,100 minutes across all competitions for Porto.
Despite his glowing statistics, he could struggle when presented with a bigger challenge. Gomes won just 39 percent of his duels and lost possession eight times in every 42 minutes (per appearance).
His lack of defensive output and poor aerial ability are further drawbacks. On top of this, Gomes is predominantly a right-sided winger, and United have the position well covered for next season.
Bryan Mbeumo is the regular starter for the role, with Amad Diallo and potentially Shea Lacey providing back-up. The left wing could be the position where United seek to reinforce this summer.
Matheus Cunha saw some handy competition through Patrick Dorgu earlier this year, but the Dane is primarily a left-back. He is more direct and does not possess the creative attributes.
Someone like Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers would be a game-changer signing for the Red Devils. He can operate in multiple attacking roles, but the £100m price tag presents a huge roadblock.
It could be hard to convince him to join, too, without the guarantee of a regular starting role. Arsenal are also keen on the Englishman and could make him an undisputed starter on the left wing.
In our view, United should pursue a left-sided winger with big-game experience over a young prodigy like Gomes, who may need to further prove his credentials at Porto to secure a lucrative move.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
