Chelsea have been handed a free path to sign Angel Gomes after Manchester United confirmed the midfielder has decided to leave the club.
The 19-year-old was one of 10 United players to see his deal at Old Trafford expire on June 30 but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were hoping to retain his services.
Several offers were submitted to the teenager in an attempt to secure him to a new deal but no extension could be agreed, making him a free agent ahead of the summer transfer window in a boost for the Blues and manager Frank Lampard.
A statement from United read: “Manchester United can confirm that Angel Gomes has not taken up the offer of a new contract and has, therefore, left the club.
The 19-year-old joined the Reds at a very young age and worked his way through the ranks before becoming the first player born in the 2000s to represent the first team, as a substitute for Wayne Rooney in the final game of the 2016/17 season, against Crystal Palace.
“It meant he became the youngest player since Duncan Edwards to make his senior debut for the club, soon after being awarded the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.
The attacking midfielder made 10 senior appearances in total for the Reds – three of them starts, which all came in this season’s Europa League.
