André Gomes has admitted he was in contact with Lille while still at Everton last season, before returning to the French club on a free transfer this summer.
L’Equipe cover comments from the Portuguese midfielder today after he sealed a return to the Ligue 1 club.
Gomes had found himself as a free agent this summer after his contract with Everton came to end, with both sides electing to go their separate ways.
His time at Goodison Park had not been a happy one, with the midfielder failing to build on a successful loan from Barcelona when the move was made permanent in 2019.
Injuries played their part in that, with the player suffering from various ailments over the last few seasons after the broken ankle suffered against Tottenham in 2019.
He did enjoy a brief bounce back while on loan at Lille from September 2022 to 2023, establishing himself in the French side and seemingly fitting in better in Ligue 1 than the Premier League.
It meant that he did not hesitate to return to Lille this summer when they came calling after the transfer window had closed, and he admits he was already in talks with them while he was at Everton.
“It happened late, but we were in contact with the club for a long time, even last season,” he said.
“With my ex-teammates too, like Benjamin André. It was the right time, obviously there were other things on the table, but the conversations with the president, with my family, were simple.
“It’s a shame that I didn’t qualify for the Champions League, but the most important thing is that I’m here. It was my decision, I’m very happy.”
