Everton have been linked with soon-to-be former Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, who is set to be a free agent when his contract runs out in June of this year.
Give Me Sport is reporting that Everton are in the race for Gomes' signature this summer, with Marseille also in the running to keep the England international in France. The Liverpool Echo also mentions that West Ham, Aston Villa, and Tottenham are in the mix.
Gomes joined Lille in 2021 after a season in Portugal with Boavista, scoring six goals in 30 matches after growing up in the Manchester United academy system and making his Premier League debut in 2017, albeit briefly, at just 15 years old.
He never caught on for United before moving to Portugal and then France, where he began his Lille stint as a depth piece before stepping into a regular starter during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. During those years, he combined for 86 appearances across all competitions (including four Champions League matches), over 6000 minutes, six goals, and 16 assists.
But things have changed for him this season in France, as he's been limited to just 20 appearances for Lille and has been on an extended run of games since the start of the calendar year, where he's been used sparingly or been on the bench and not used.
There were reports of an injury in November that has impacted his availability, with suggestions that it was a calf problem holding Gomes back.
Either way, signs point to Gomes being on the way out in France, and at just 24, he'll have plenty of suitors if he wants to stay in France or return to England to ply his trade.
Of interest in Everton's favor could be the friendship between Gomes and Toffee's midfielder James Garner, who said in an interview with the Echo last year that Gomes is his "closest mate. He and I have been mates since we first met, we speak all the time."
Surely the decision will come down to more than where your best friend is playing, but having Garner, who knows Gomes from their time in the United Academy as kids, in the player's ear couldn't hurt if it comes close between Everton and another club.
This seems like the type of move Everton should be pushing for. Because he's on a free, the cost will only be wages as opposed to transfer fees, he's got the profile of someone who could be a useful player in the Premier League, and he'll turn 25 just before the season starts.
With so many changes to be made this summer, Gomes would be a good option to add depth to Everton's midfield.