Ex-Barcelona midfielder targeted by Columbus Crew after Lille disrespect

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Andre Gomes, the former Barcelona and Everton midfielder, is ready to leave Lille after being ‘disrespected’ by the club.

Columbus Crew of MLS may reignite their interest in a deal for the experienced former Portugal international, according to La Voix du Nord.

The American club tried to sign Gomes in December, but Lille did not allow him to leave at the time, despite his lack of minutes.

🔴⚪️ Official, completed. André Gomes returns to Lille on free transfer as former #EFC midfielder signs until June 2026. pic.twitter.com/0zRy0dJ32U

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 6, 2024

Gomes has received just eight minutes of playing time in two league appearances for Les Dogues. His last appearance was a six-minute cameo in Lille’s 1-0 victory over Marseille on 5 December, and he has made the matchday squad just once since then.

The player’s status in the Lille pecking order was confirmed by manager Bruno Genesio.

“I will not comment on the absence of Andre Gomes,” he said. “I think there may be other people who can do it for me.”

Those players include 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, 35-year-old Benjamin Andre, and former Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder Nabil Bentaleb.

Where does Gomes fit in with the Crew?

Columbus Crew have one of the best player development track records in MLS as shown by the recent sales of Aidan Morris (to Middlesbrough) and Jacen Russell-Rowe (to Toulouse).

Gomes would provide another experienced presence to a group that has seen its average age rise in recent years.

The Lille midfielder would compete with new club captain Sean Zawadzki for playing time in midfield.

Ohioan. Homegrown. Captain 🫡

Sean Zawadzki is a leader who embodies the ethos of our Club 🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/1vt1g547eF

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) February 16, 2026

Zawadzki has become one of the best homegrown talents in MLS in recent years. The 25-year-old played centre-back at times in then-manager Wilfried Nancy’s 3-4-2-1, but the club’s new manager, Henrik Rydstrom, used a 4-4-2 in his previous job leading Malmo.

The Crew have experienced players further forward in attacking midfield with 29-year-old Daniel Gazdag and 28-year-old Dylan Chambost.

The club finished seventh in the Eastern Conference standings last season and were eliminated in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs by in-state rivals FC Cincinnati.

Signing Gomes would further prove the Crew’s desire to compete at the top of the table and make a deep playoff run.

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