Everton Make Last-Gasp Gomes Loan Enquiry as Besic Seeks Departure
By Tom Power
Frantic final day for Blues could see one midfielder in, and one midfielder out
Everton are planning another late raid on Barcelona as they try to tie up a loan move for Andre Gomes.
The Portugal midfielder has become a late target for the Toffees as Marco Silva looks to address the centre midfield problem in his squad.
The Liverpool Echo has suggested that the Blues are attempting to convince Barcelona to let the 25-year-old head to Goodison Park on a season-long loan.
And any potential deal could allow Muhamed Besic to depart on loan too, with Middlesbrough and Leeds United head of the queue for his signature.
Gomes only emerged as an Everton target on Thursday evening after Silva identified him as the man to occupy the ‘number six’ role in his midfield.
The likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and Besic have failed to take their chances as the defensively minded midfielder in Silva’s lineup throughout pre-season.
That has led the 41-year-old to seek out a late addition to that part of his squad, and Gomes could be the man to fulfil that role.
Everton’s priority still lies in getting Yerry Mina to join them as a new centre-back option – the Colombia defender currently undergoing a medical in Barcelona ahead of a switch to Merseyside.
Bernard’s free transfer signing is also expected to go through before the 5pm deadline on Thursday.
Providing both of those deals are secured in the next couple of hours, a frantic bid to secure Gomes could also be on the cards.
A contingent of Everton officials have flown out to Catalonia to thrash out the late deal for Mina, and will enquire about Gomes whilst at Camp Nou.
Gomes has struggled for game time with the Catalan giants in recent months, and may view a temporary stint in the Premier League as a way to ignite his career.
The Euro 2016 winner would be able to converse well with fellow Portuguese man Silva, and it could well be that the Blues’ new boss can get the best out of him.
Next. Everton Finally Closing in on Mina Deal on Deadline Day. dark
Besic would surely see his chances at Everton for this term curtailed if Gomes arrives, and he would be allowed to leave if the ex-Benfica star is drafted in.