Manchester United have agreed a first refusal deal with Sporting Lisbon to sign wonderkid Luis Gomes for a fee of £14million.
The 16-year-old signed his first contract with the club earlier this month but he’s already being linked with an exit to one of Europe’s elite clubs given the comparisons in Portugal with legend Luis Figo.
Sporting gave Gomes a five-year contract, which is far from customary for a player of his age. But it’s testimony to the club’s faith in the midfielder, who they believe could be the next big prospect to emerge from the side’s academy.
United have signed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcos Rojo, Bruno Fernandes and Luis Nani from Sporting in the past and the two clubs share a close relationship.
The Red Devils have kept a close eye on Gomes in recent years and the Mirror claim United have agreed a first refusal deal to sign the teenager should Sporting choose to sell him in the future.
United feel Gomes is best served by staying at the club but they don’t want to miss out if Sporting are forced into selling in the current financial climate and it’s claimed a deal of £14m has been agreed.
The club have restructured their priorities since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed and Ed Woodward admitted in 2019 that the club have significantly increased their spending on the academy and young players.
That’s been shown in the £10m acquisition of Hannibal Mejbri from Monaco for a fee of £10m, as well as Amad Diallo for £36m from Atalanta and Facundo Pellistri for £10m.
