Celta Vigo enter the race for £22m Everton player after successful 2022-23 season

Everton will look to offload a bunch of players that are no longer part of the project and midfielder Andre Gomes could be one who faces the axe. The former Barcelona man spent the last season on loan at LOSC Lille and impressed with his all round performances.

Gomes had been undergoing a rough spell at Everton under Rafa Benitez and Frank Lampard. He was not a regular part of the first team in the 2021-22 season as niggles hampered his inclusion and when he started he was largely underwhelming. With EFC signing Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gueye and James Garner last summer, it was clear that Gomes is not a part of Lampard’s plans.

The Portuguese secured a loan move to Lille where Everton would continue to cover 50% of his wages throughout the season. Gomes currently earns around £112,000 per week and despite Everton covering 50% of the wages, he was one of the highest paid players at Lille. Gomes had a successful loan spell in France which has got the French team interested in securing the midfielder for the next season.

Celta Vigo interested in Everton midfielder Andre Gomes

The former Valencia man has one year left on his Everton contract and it looks unlikely that he will be a part of Sean Dyche’s system. The best case scenario will be to cash in on the Portuguese, especially after a successful loan spell. His fruitful season at Lille saw him make 27 appearances, netting three goals and providing two assists. Gomes remained almost injury free and was a regular part of Paulo Fonseca’s midfield.

LOSC Lille have shown interest in buying the 29 year old permanently but the deal is complicated. The midfielder is one of the best paid players at Everton and the high wages are said to be a stumbling block in Lille’s efforts. According to French outlet Le 11 Lillois, the Ligue 1 club remain interested in signing Gomes but the deal is progressing slowly due to the player’s salary. At this stage the deal is complex but not impossible, although, Lille will have to move quickly as Gomes is also generating interest from Spain.

PSG Sporting director Luis Campos, who is in an advisory role to La Liga’s Celta Vigo, admires the 29 year old midfielder. Celta have entered the race as they are interested in signing Gomes from Everton. Everton must sanction a sale for Gomes and hope to get a reasonable fee for the Portuguese. If Gomes leaves, EFC will also manage to reduce their wage budget by £5.8 million a year.

Will Andre Gomes leave England this summer?