Manchester United transfer news: Andre Gomes set to stay in Spain as Barcelona reject Red Devils’ £31m offer after Jorge Mendes talks
Jose Mourinho wants countryman at Old Trafford but new Barca boss Ernesto Valverde is a big fan
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BARCELONA snubbed Manchester United's £31million Andre Gomes offer after talks with agent Jorge Mendes.
The Portugal star flopped last season after joining the Catalans from Valencia.
Both United and Juventus were monitoring his situation before Jose Mourinho made a formal offer for the playmaker.
But new Barca chief Ernesto Valverde is a big fan of the former Benfica midfielder and told his bosses to reject the bid, according to Catalunya Radio.
Barca signed Gomes, 23, for £29.3m in July with the view of turning him into Andres Iniesta's long-term replacement.
Ivan Rakitic had already failed to grow into the role and evidence hinted at another flop.
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But Valverde is prepared to give Gomes further time to develop as Iniesta, 33, still has more to offer.
Agent Jorge Mendes flew into Barcelona for talks with club chiefs and appears to be happy with the reassurances he received concerning his client's future.
Andre Gomes fact file
- Gomes was born in Grijo, Portugal, on July 30 1993.
- He joined Porto's academy in 2005 but left three years later and eventually ended up at bitter rivals Benfica.
- After graduating in 2012 he spent two years ion the reserves before stepping up to the first team.
- Valencia took Gomes on loan in 2014 - later making the deal permanent.
- Barcelona fended off competition from United and Chelsea in 2016 to bring Gomes to Spain.
- The midfielder has played 23 times for Portugal since making his debut in 2014.
Barcelona are still in the market for another midfielder, with Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Verratti their No1 target.
The Ligue 1 outfit are playing hardball, however, and demanding over £100m for the Italian international.
Verratti, 24, is desperate to leave PSG and is believed to have already agreed personal terms with Barca.
He reportedly struck a deal while holidaying in Ibiza and may now hand in a formal transfer request to force his club into negotiations.
With United's Gomes pursuit seemingly hitting a wall, Mourinho's best option appears to be a swoop for Nemanja Matic.
The duo combined well at Chelsea, whop are likely to listen to offers as they close in on Monaco powerhouse Tiemoue Bakayoko.