Mason Greenwood prêt pour les retrouvailles de Man Utd après la conclusion d’un « accord de transfert »
Former Manchester United midfielder Angel Gomes is on the verge of completing a move to Ligue 1 giants Marseille, where he will link up once again with fellow academy graduate Mason Greenwood. The 24-year-old Englishman’s contract with Lille was due to expire this summer, and after weighing up his options, he has chosen to continue his career in the south of France.
Gomes had recently been linked with a dramatic return to Manchester United, the club where he developed through the youth ranks and made his senior debut at just 16. There was also interest from Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, both of whom were reportedly keen on bringing the creative midfielder back to English football. However, Gomes has opted to embark on a new chapter of his career in Ligue 1.
According to French outlet RMC Sport, Marseille have offered Gomes a three-year deal, which he has now agreed to. A major factor in his decision was the club’s ambitious sporting project under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi. The former Brighton boss is known for his progressive, possession-based style of football, something that strongly appealed to Gomes’ technical abilities. In addition, the chance to play in next season’s UEFA Champions League proved to be a decisive pull.
The move also reunites Gomes with Mason Greenwood, who left Manchester United permanently last summer following an extended period away from the club. Greenwood made an immediate impact in Ligue 1, scoring 22 goals in his debut campaign for Marseille. Despite interest from top clubs such as Barcelona, Greenwood has expressed his desire to remain at the Stade Vélodrome and be part of the team’s European journey.
Speaking earlier this year, Greenwood reflected positively on his time at Marseille so far, saying: “I hope to be here next year for the Champions League. All the other players tell me that the stadium is something special. I think it’s been a very positive season, we’ve reached our objective.”
Gomes, who joined Lille in 2020 after leaving United, has enjoyed a consistent run of games in France, registering 134 appearances and scoring 10 goals over three seasons. His development at Lille underlined the potential he had long been touted for during his early days at United.
In a previous interview with L’Équipe, Gomes spoke candidly about his decision to leave Old Trafford in 2020: “It was a very difficult decision. In my heart, I wanted to leave, in my head, I was thinking of staying. But I had to follow my heart. I felt that I needed to take another step in my career.”
He credited then-sporting director Luis Campos and Lille’s project for convincing him to take the leap: “Luis Campos and Lille spoke about their project and I believed in it even more, that’s what convinced me to move – the faith Lille had in me.”
When asked whether a return to Manchester United could be on the cards in the future, Gomes left the door open, replying: “Obviously, it’s home. I would love to come back. But you never know in football. I just have to keep my feet on the ground and keep playing, making the most of it. I can’t predict what will happen in the future.”
Now, with a new adventure awaiting him in Marseille, Gomes has the chance to prove himself on one of Europe’s biggest stages alongside a familiar face in Greenwood. The move not only marks an exciting step in his career but also adds another English talent to a growing list of players making an impact abroad.