Wolves Pursue Angel Gomes in Potential Loan Move
Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly initiated talks with French club Marseille regarding a potential loan deal for midfielder Angel Gomes this January. This move could mark the first signing under new manager Rob Edwards, who recently replaced Vitor Pereira at the helm of the Premier League strugglers.
Negotiations Underway but Agreement Not Imminent
According to Sky Sports, discussions between Wolves and the ten-time French champions have been ongoing for some time, though an agreement between the two parties is not yet close. The Old Gold have yet to make a first-team signing since Edwards' appointment, but have allowed several players to depart on loan, including Marshall Munetsi, Ki-Jana Hoever, and Fer Lopez.
Wolves find themselves in a precarious position in the Premier League, having accumulated just eight points from 23 matches. They currently sit 17 points adrift from safety, requiring an impeccable finish to the season to have any realistic hope of avoiding relegation.
Angel Gomes: From Manchester United Prospect to Marseille
Angel Gomes, now 25 years old, was once regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Manchester United's academy. He won the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2017, following in the footsteps of United legends such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Marcus Rashford.
At just 16 years and 263 days old, Gomes became the youngest player to represent Manchester United since Duncan Edwards in 1953, as well as the first player born in the 2000s to appear in the Premier League. Despite his early promise, he managed only 10 total appearances for the Red Devils, including five in the Premier League, before embarking on a productive loan spell at Boavista in Portugal.
Gomes subsequently joined Lille on a permanent basis, where he made 134 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing 19 assists from a defensive midfield position. His impressive performances earned him a place in England's Under-21 European Championship team in 2023 and four senior caps for the national team the following year under interim manager Lee Carsley.
Last summer, Gomes signed for Marseille despite reported interest from several Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. He has featured in 20 matches across all competitions this season but has recently struggled for regular game time under manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Potential Role at Molineux
Throughout his senior professional career, Gomes has primarily operated as a deep-lying defensive midfielder, despite his relatively small stature at 5ft 6in. He is renowned for his composure in possession and excellent technical qualities, which enable him to transition smoothly from defence to attack.
However, during his time in Manchester United's academy, Gomes was frequently deployed as either an attacking midfielder or winger due to his goal-scoring and creative abilities. He recorded 10 goals and 7 assists in 27 appearances at Under-21 level and similarly excelled at Under-18 level with 15 goals and 7 assists from 26 matches.
Wolves currently have options in defensive midfield with Joao Gomes and Andre, potentially allowing the Marseille star an opportunity to return to a more advanced attacking role. This possibility has been further enhanced by the decision to send Fer Lopez back to Celta Vigo on loan.
Sky Sports notes that several other Premier League clubs are monitoring Gomes' availability, meaning his potential move to Molineux is far from guaranteed before the transfer window closes.
