According to media reports, including from Sky Sports, Everton have agreed a fee of around £22million with Barcelona for Portuguese playmaker Andre Gomes. The midfielder is expected to complete the move in the next 24 hours.
The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at the Toffees and proved to be a popular figure on and off the pitch. The fee looks like a small one in today’s crazy transfer market, especially as the Catalan giants paid over £40million to sign the Portuguese international back in the summer of 2016.
Showed his talent on Merseyside
Andre Gomes has been a highly-rated star for a long time. He was regarded as something of a Rolls Royce of a central midfielder, prior to his time at Barcelona anyway. Gomes struggled to cope with the constant pressure of playing for one of the worlds biggest clubs.
However, he looked like he started to enjoy his football once again on Merseyside. After a false start because of injury, he became a key player for the Toffees. He showed flashes of his ability and produced many eye-catching displays.
West Ham reportedly saw two bids for Gomes rejected. However, it seemed due to his relationship with the club that he was only going to move to Everton this summer.
Barcelona looking to raise funds this summer
The deal will suit all parties. Gomes seems happy and settled at the English club, while Barcelona are happy to recoup some money, as they look to strengthen their own squad.
The Catalan giants have repeatedly been linked with moves for both Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann and Ajax centre-back Matthijs de Ligt this summer. However, they have to balance the books to comply with Financial Fair Play.
With the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Malcom, Nelson Semedo, Samuel Umtiti and Ivan Rakitic could all reportedly follow Gomes out the Barcelona exit door. The mass clear out should raise enough funds for the Spanish champions to strengthen their squad this summer.
Everton targeting the top-six
The move for Gomes is likely to be just the start of the transfer wheeler dealing at Goodison Park this summer.
In fact, Croatian attacking midfielder Nikola Vlasic is set to sign for CSKA Moscow for a fee of around £14million after a successful loan spell. The youngster struggled to make an impact at Everton.
Boss Marco Silva and director of football Marcel Brands have made a solid start of cleaning up a mess of a squad in the last year. The Merseysider’s are likely to offload a number of other players and strengthen their squad too in what is expected to be a busy summer.
The hope on the blue half of Merseyside is that the Toffees can mount a challenge for the top-six next season. Silva’s teams are outsiders to make the top-six next season. However, with a few quality signings then they could be real contenders for the top-six.
The signing of Andre Gomes for £22million this summer is a no-brainer for the Toffees. He is a quality player, who at 25-years of age will have a good sell-on value if the Merseysider’s decide to sell in a couple of years.
However, for now, Gomes and Everton will hope that the move will prove a success, both for the player and the club.
Is Andre Gomes a good signing for Everton?
