Angel Gomes has reportedly been identified as a top target for Newcastle United ahead of the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old was in the headlines over the international break after he was called up to the senior England squad for the first time by interim head coach Lee Carsley, who worked closely with the midfielder at Under-21s level.
Gomes was handed his senior Three Lions debut as a substitute in a 2-0 UEFA Nations League win against the Republic of Ireland, before being handed his first England start in a 2-0 win over Finland at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.
Carsley heaped praise on Gomes after the match, telling reporters: "He loves football, he watches football, he's interested in tactics. He knows all the players in any league.
"If you ask him for any feedback, you need to be prepared that he's going to give you some feedback on the session, or how we're going to build up, or the positions.
"He'll often say about some build-ups he's done with other clubs, or what he's played against, because he's obviously playing in France, so he sees different things."
Man United product Gomes thriving abroad
The 5ft 6in midfielder began his club career with Manchester United's academy, representing the Red Devils between 2006 and 2020, but after making just 10 senior appearances, he opted to move abroad and joined French outfit Lille.
Gomes was immediately loaned out to Portuguese side Boavista for the 2020-21 season and chipped in with six goals and six assists in 32 appearances, before returning to Lille where he has established himself as a first-team regular.
Indeed, Gomes has made a total of 118 first-team appearances for Lille across all competitions, contributing with two goals and 10 assists in 45 matches across Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Europa Conference League fixtures last season.
Gomes is enjoying life in France where he is playing regularly, but his long-term future at Lille is believed to be uncertain, with his current contract due to expire in the summer of 2025.
Gomes coming to Toon?
According to The Sun, Gomes is not currently planning to renew his Lille deal at the end of the current campaign.
The report adds that Newcastle are 'tracking' Gomes and have identified the diminutive midfielder as a top target, with a move to be potentially pondered by the Magpies in January.
However, it is understood that Eddie Howe's side could face stern competition for Gomes's signature from Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund.
Gomes will hope to earn another England call-up for the October international break, but in the meantime will shift his focus to Lille and their upcoming fixtures against Saint-Etienne, Sporting Lisbon, Strasbourg and Le Harve this month. body check tags ::
