Barcelona star Andre Gomes could join Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window, according to many reports. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino tracked the attacking midfielder in the summer but failed in a last-ditch attempt to lure him to the Premier League.
But according to Express, Tottenham are ready to reignite their interest in Barcelona outcast Gomes. The report adds that the north Londoners are lining up a £15million bid for the former Benfica man after pulling out of a deal to sign Ross Barkley.
Gomes, 24, emerged as a young star in his native Portugal with Benfica, and his impressive displays earned him a move to Valencia in 2014. Signed by Barcelona amidst much fanfare from Valencia in the summer of 2016, the 24-year-old midfielder has struggled to make much of an impact and is on the lookout for a new club to get some regular playing time.
The Portuguese hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations with Barca. After a disappointing first season, he has started just two La Liga games this season and looks set for an exit. Catalan newspaper Sport report that Gomes has now asked manager Ernesto Valverde to let him leave the club this month, in a desperate attempt to play first-team football.
Barca’s recent moves in the market have put Gomes on alert. The arrival of Philippe Coutinho provides direct competition in midfield, while the return of Ousmane Dembele from injury also complicates things. Therefore, Gomes is convinced that he needs to leave this month to start playing regularly and has also spoken with Valverde.
The report also claims that Valverde wants to keep Gomes on board, but in private, has admitted to the 24-year-old that he might struggle to force his way into the starting eleven at the Camp Nou. The midfielder knows that he needs to be playing regularly in order to feature prominently for Portugal at the World Cup this summer and whether it’s a permanent move or a loan move, he simply wants to leave the Camp Nou and play.
Sport claim that Gomes has already been in contact with his agent Jorge Mendes to weigh up his opportunities. The former Benfica man has made 17 appearances for the La Liga leaders in all competitions, providing one assist but has become frustrated over the lack of first-team opportunities.
There has been a talk that this could be a quiet month for Spurs in the January transfer window. But with the emergence of reports of Gomes pushing for a move, Pochettino’s chances of landing his last year’s target may have just taken another boost.
