On Wednesday we covered claims from the Catalan media that Andre Gomes is ‘very close’ to sealing a permanent move away from Barcelona.
Everton, where the player is on loan for the season, were described as the favourites. The Premier League club were said to be willing to part with €25-30m to get the midfielder on a full transfer this summer.
It was claimed that another, at that time unnamed, club had come forward for the player, which seemed quite possibly a tactic to put pressure on Everton.
Now Sport name that club as Inter Milan, but it still sounds like Everton have the advantage, even though the Catalan newspaper have changed their mind and now say the English club want to pay €20-25m.
Inter are said to ‘have asked’ about the player, and will ‘go for him’ in the next transfer market. The club first need to secure qualification for the Champions League, otherwise it will be a stretch to afford him.
By that time, Gomes may already be an Everton player.
Sport say the plan is to agree the deal early, like Barcelona have with Frenkie de Jong.
Everton have ‘made the decision’ to sign Gomes, and ‘a few weeks ago’ they met with the Wasserman agency, which represents the player.
It’s stated the Toffees have €25m ready, and now it’s just a case of Barcelona accepting the offer.
Those involved are said to be ‘very optimistic’ with the process and ‘everything indicates’ Gomes will sign for Everton.
