Everton have reportedly been handed a boost in their efforts to make Andre Gomes’s move from Barcelona a permanent one.
Having joined on loan in a one-year-deal from the Catalan giants last summer, Gomes has gone on to score one goal and assist one other in 26 Premier League appearances.
According to Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona are keen on raising transfer funds this summer to finance a big-money move for Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.
Having already wrapped up a deal for de Ligt’s teammate Frenkie de Jong, the source says that Gomes – who has an £86million release clause in his contract – will become surplus to requirements at the end of the season, with Everton willing to bid between £21million and £25million for his services.
Good move for Everton?
Definitely. Everton had a poor start to the campaign under Marco Silva and there were calls for the manager to go. But the Portuguese has turned things around in the second half of the season, with Everton having kept eight clean sheets in their last 10 games and beaten the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal at home. Part of that is down to his new signings, and Gomes, in particular. The 25-year-old played a vital role in midfield in all those aforementioned victories, and while he has been suspended for the past three games, he is set to make his 27th Premier League appearance of the campaign and would be sorely missed if he moved to another club this summer.
This is Futbol rating 9/10
Likely to happen?
This is a move that looks on the cards. It is no secret that Barcelona desperately want De Ligt and knowing the Catalan club, they will do all they can to get him. If that means raising an extra £20million or so, that is what they will do. And having already secured the services of De Jong, it looks as if Gomes has been put out of the picture and is free to make his Everton move permanent.
This is Futbol rating 8/10