Lille OSC in the lead for Chelsea-linked Angel Gomes — reports

Despite Chelsea’s best efforts to sign Angel Gomes, it looks like the former Manchester United prospect, and current free agent, will look to carve his path elsewhere.

According to RMC Sport and the Daily Mail, French Ligue 1 side, Lille OSC are in negotiations with the 19-year-old’s entourage and are hoping to seal the deal soon.

A vast number of clubs were interested in the talented youngster’s services, from Benfica and Hamburg to Valencia and of course, Chelsea, but Lille’s proposal appears to have been the strongest. Gomes was no doubt enticed by a club who have helped players like Victor Osimhen, Boubakary Soumaré and Nicolas Pépé find their feet at senior level — ed.note: not to mention Eden Hazard! — and will likely provide him with a more straightforward pathway to senior-team football.

At Chelsea, the most viable option for Gomes would have been to go out on loan, since he would have had a difficult time displacing the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount, Ross Barkley and, potentially, Kai Havertz from the starting lineup.

Gomes has made 10 senior-team appearances for Manchester United, and became their youngest debutant at 16 years and 263 days during the 2016-17 season. He has all the potential to become a star someday, and while his immediate future isn’t likely at Chelsea, there’s no telling what the future holds.