The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona goes beyond just the affairs on the pitch, with both the heavyweights constantly in tussles over player signings. In yet another revelation, Valencia’s sporting director, Jesus Garcia Pitarch, has claimed that Portuguese talent Andre Gomes was very close to signing for Real Madrid and Barcelona made the move just in the nick of time to pry him away to the Nou Camp.
The player was constantly linked with Los Blancos, with certain sections of the media even going on to claim that a medical had been scheduled for him only for Barca to shock the footballing world and acquire the player’s services for a whopping €50m.
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While it is largely believed that the finances involved played a crucial role in which club the player moved to, Gomes would like to have us believe otherwise. Subsequent to his transfer, Gomes revealed that he moved to Barcelona because he believed that his style of play would be a perfect fit for the Catalan side.
The 23-year-old Portuguese international was a target for many clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United and Juventus along with Barcelona and Real Madrid and deservedly so. While Valencia did not have a great season by any standards as they finished in the bottom half of the La Liga table, Gomes was the sole shining light.
The midfielder displayed an all-round ability in the centre of the park, with his combative instinct coupled with his creativity in the final third.
A product of Benfica’s youth system, Gomes joined Valencia in July 2014, where he spent 2 years before moving to Barcelona this summer and the player is already being hailed for his performances, despite being used in a bit part role. He is tidy with the ball at his feet, puts in industrious performances to deny the opposition any time and space on the ball and can pick a pass that very few people in the footballing world can.
Gomes has over 35 international caps for Portugal in all youth levels and six for Under-21s. He made his senior debut for Portugal during the Euro 2016 qualifying match against Albania and was a critical player in their European championship winning campaign.
Although Barcelona managed to sign the Portuguese international, Valencia were left frustrated as Los Che had different plans for the player. It was largely believed that Gomes was initially supposed to be part of a deal which would bring Simone Zaza and Hernanes to the Mestalla Stadium.
While his transfer did fetch the club a whopping €50m, they have been unable to capitalise on the financial benefits as they sit just one spot away from the relegation zone courtesy a better goal difference than the 18th placed Sporting de Gijon.
