Never let it be said Jorge Mendes isn’t a genius. If the agent were aiming to become a Saint then his one verified miracle would be manufacturing a Gomes transfer battle between Real Madrid and Barcelona last summer.
Gomes was on the verge of a move to Real Madrid, then Barcelona swooped in and signed the player for €50-60m including add-ons. Once the Catalan media and Barcelona fans had finished celebrating making Madrid look silly, the question ‘What is an Andre Gomes?’ came to the forefront.
Barcelona have been trying to work it out since.
Manchester United and Juventus had been the clubs linked before Mendes’ El Clasico masterstroke, and it had gone on for months.
Mendes was going to take Gomes to Manchester United, all thanks to his close relationship with Jose Mourinho, but Juventus were buzzing around too, although they didn’t want to be caught in a bidding war for the then Valencia player.
After the world was shocked by Gomes’ first Barcelona season failing to be spectacular, a transfer started to look increasingly likely. That needs a destination, but Mendes’ Gomes box of miracles is all emptied out.
Juventus have been the club most linked, and Thursday’s edition of Tuttosport worries about Manchester United. The Turin club are aware of ‘strong competition’ from Old Trafford for Gomes, which would be a shock.
Perhaps Mourinho feels he owes Mendes one, having ignored his once BFF to get buddy with Mino Raiola. Gomes would provide someone a reasonable midfielder, and at 24 years of age there’s potential for improvement, but at a price much less than what Barcelona paid, and with expectations now firmly battered by reality.
