According to reports, Manchester United is considering re-signing Angel Gomes, a former academy standout, next summer.

After rising through the ranks at United, Gomes, now 24, made his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace in May 2017 at the age of 16 years and 263 days, making him the fourth-youngest player in United’s history.

Before being released in the summer of 2020, Gomes, who joined United at the age of six, made just ten appearances across all competitions during the following three years as he struggled to get going.

Gomes signed a five-year contract with Lille and has since made an impression, as the midfielder made his England debut earlier this season.

There has been no development on a new contract for the 24-year-old, whose current one with the French team expires at the end of the current campaign.

The Sun also claims that United is preparing a free-transfer raid for Gomes, who is considered one of their top summer targets. According to the source, new Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim, a longtime admirer, is in favor of a transfer for Gomes. Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox both think highly of him and think he can play a significant role in the Portuguese’s ambitions at the club.

Gomes may begin negotiating with teams in January and signing a pre-contract agreement, and Lille has acknowledged that they are likely to lose him on a free transfer.

United is also thought to be certain that Gomes, who was born and raised in Salford, can be persuaded to rejoin the team. The 24-year-old is thought to be a long-term replacement for Casemiro, 32.

Gomes has acknowledged in a statement last month that United will always have a special place in his heart, despite reports that Tottenham and Arsenal are also interested in him.

“That sentimental soft spot will always exist,” he remarked. Naturally, it would be hard to say no.

Gomes, meanwhile, stated in 2022 that he would be eager to return to Old Trafford should the opportunity arise.

Do I see me returning at some point? “It’s home, of course,” Gomes told the French publication L’Equipe.

“I would really like to return.” But with football, you never know. All I need to do is stay grounded, continue playing, and enjoy myself. I have no way of knowing what the future holds. Under Lee Carsley, Gomes played for England’s Under 21 team, who won the 2023 European Championship. The midfielder made 18 appearances for that team.

Gomes played 129 games for Lille after spending his first season on loan at Boavista in Portugal. He scored nine goals and provided 19 assists for the French team.

He played the last 11 minutes of the Three Lions’ 5-0 thumping of the Republic of Ireland during the recent international break, coming on as a substitute.

When Lille, now ranked fourth in Ligue 1, hosts Rennes on Sunday, the midfield player will return to action.