Chelsea had the opportunity to take Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes to Stamford Bridge this week, according to a ‘Top Secret’ column from Mundo Deportivo on Wednesday.
The Portuguese international has no future with Ernesto Valverde’s side and is looking for a move away from the Camp Nou. Mundo Deportivo claims the west London club rejected the chance to secure the 24-year-old’s services.
Barcelona were keen on signing Willian from the Premier League club, who were demanding a fee of €70m. The Blues are said to have remained ‘adamant’ they wouldn’t drop below the figure.
To reduce the price tag, the Blaugrana were ready to offer a player plus cash to Chelsea so that they could land the Brazil international.
The report claims it was Gomes who was included as a part of the deal to sign the winger. The FA Cup winners turned down the Spanish champions’ offer, forcing the latter to sign Malcom from Bordeaux yesterday.
The Catalan media earlier reported Arsenal are interested in signing the midfielder, while their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are also reported to be in the race to secure his services.
Should Chelsea want Gomes independent of Willian, then he’s likely all theirs anyway.
Unfortunately for Gomes, no deal has taken shape and he is still at Barcelona.
