OPINION
Everton may be on their way to a masterclass of a signing as they have now reportedly opened talks to sign Andre Gomes on a permanent basis from Barcelona.
According to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, Everton have started negotiations with Barca after Marco Silva told the club’s chiefs that he wants to see the 25-year-old extend his stay at Goodison Park after a successful loan stint this season.
It is understood that director of football Marcel Brands has been “exchanging information” with Barcelona, who want £26.6million for the Portugal international.
Mundo Deportivo adds that Everton want to chip away at Barca’s demands for Gomes, which is how any transfer negotiations are going to go but what is really interesting about this report is that the La Liga champions want to cash in on the central midfielder by June 30.
Everton are reportedly seen as a club that are most likely to land Gomes in that timeframe to help Barca get the £110,000-a-week [Spotrac] ace off their wagebill, and boost their transfer budget with his eventual fee.
It is all good news for Everton and their fans, who many of which have been delighted with latest developments regarding Gomes’ future after Tottenham reportedly ended their interest in the playmaker.
Gomes played a starring role at Goodison Park this season by appearing 29 times across all competitions, scoring one goal and supplying two assists.
Whenever he played, Everton looked like a better side.
At the start of the season while the ex-Valencia midfielder was injured, the Blues won just three of eight games.
WhoScored has recorded that the Portuguese ace completed 84.8 per cent of his passes in all competitions, which is better than any other Blues player who made more that 10 starts this season.
Only goalkeeper Jordan Pickford completed more successful long balls per match than Gomes too, who wowed the Goodison Park faithful all season with his range of passing.
If Brands can strike a deal to sign Gomes then it would be a blinder of a deal for the Toffees and thankfully it looks as though the club’s director of football could be on his way to that with these negotiations now underway.