Everton taking their time on Gomes

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Andre Gomes of Everton in action during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on April 07, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Andre Gomes of Everton in action during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on April 07, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Reports today are underlining the serious intent of other clubs to try to sign Andre Gomes this summer with West Ham United the leading club chasing his signature. So why haven’t Everton got the deal done yet?

The Guardian are claiming that West Ham have already bid £20 million for the midfielder who has spent the season on loan at Everton.

The London club are desperate to persuade the Barcelona player to move to the capital but fear he would still prefer to stay on Merseyside.

But that being the case why haven’t Everton made more effort to sort out this situation and get Gomes signed permanently?

Marco Silva was quoted as saying getting Gomes and Kurt Zouma signed up on long-term contracts was a major priority for the club.

But as yet it hasn’t happened. It seems to me that the Blues are taking their time to move on this deal and in the meantime other clubs are sniffing around looking to cut in and get Gomes.

The Portuguese midfielder had an excellent season for the Toffees last time round. He impressed with his skill, technical ability, calmness in possession and creative ability.

So does this mean that the Toffees are back peddling on signing him or is it a financial question? There are reports that the Blues are hoping to push Barcelona to reduce their asking price, which is believed to be £25 million.

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

In other transfer news there are rumours that Everton have put in a concrete bid for Argentine midfielder Santiago Sosa. This was a story that surfaced a while back linking the Blues with a move for him.

The Argentine website Ole (in Spanish) is claiming that the Toffees have made a bid of around 15 million Euros for the 20-year-old River Plate player. Is this in any way related to the continuing uncertainty over Gomes future?

Finally more stories have been linking the Blues with a new assistant manager as Luis Boa Morte has been reported to have agreed to join Marco Silva as his new number 2.