Potential Gomes deal likely to hinge on Barcelona

Wednesday, 5 December, 2018 38comments  |  Jump to most recent
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Everton are hoping that Barcelona will acquiesce to a permanent transfer of André Gomes to Goodison Park that would satisfy all parties in the coming months.

The Portuguese midfielder has made an excellent start to life in the Premier League, quickly establishing himself as a linchpin in the Blues' midfield alongside Idrissa Gueye.

Manager Marco Silva and Director of Football, Marcel Brands, have spoken recently of their satisfaction with the signing of Gomes on a £2m, season-long loan from the Nou Camp but thoughts are already to turning to whether or not a full-time deal can be negotiated.

Everton did not negotiate a clause to make Gomes's move permanent but they will have taken heart from the fact that the Spanish giants were initially reluctant to let the 25-year-old leave in August unless it was in a full transfer.

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Having spent £75m on summer recruits already, the Blues' hierarchy weren't able to sanction what would have likely been a £35m fee at the time but they ultimately persuaded Barça to let him leave on loan for a year.

As Paul Joyce reports in The Times, Spanish sources suggest that Barcelona would be looking to recoup the £29m they paid Valencia to acquire Gomes in 2016 – he has a euro;100m release clause but, like Yerry Mina before him, that is merely to allow Barça to dictate the terms of his potential departure and ward off unwanted suitors – and Joyce also suggests that Everton are confident of eventually concluding a transfer if his parent club agrees because the player is keen.

“About Andre, we are really happy with him," Silva said in yesterday's press conference ahead of tonight's meeting with Newcastle at Goodison. "I know him very well, I've followed his career since he first started to play at Benfica.

"He's a fantastic football player with a fantastic character as well. He's a very good professional.

"I don't have doubts about his value. He's a high quality player and anything we can to sign someone like him will be important for us. Let's see in the future what we can do.

“There are three parts to any deal — us, André and Barcelona,” Silva continued later to the print media. “We have to go step by step and in the right moment. Of course our owner and our board will find the right moment to try to do something and will do everything we can to achieve it.

“But it is not just one decision that is in our hands. If it was in our hands we would possibly move faster because it is impossible to be more happy with André than we are in this moment.”

Silva's earlier comments after the derby defeat at Anfield were more indicative of Gomes's happiness with how things are going at Everton which would increase the likelihood that he would want to join the club permanently and put two difficult years at Barcelona behind him.

Indeed, it os Gomes's unwillingness to go back to the Nou Camp, where he struggled to make an impact and became a much-criticised figure by Barça fans, that could prove pivotal.

"He is enjoying coming to work every day with a big smile on his face, working hard, performing well like he showed again this afternoon,” Silva said.

"And he is getting better. He is still improving. That is normal for a player who joined us and hadn't played for the last three or four months

Brands, meanwhile, expressed similar sentiments:

"He adapted so quickly, he's a very smart guy and I've known him quite a long time and always liked him as a player.

"I'm so happy he is here and our biggest concern is now keeping him.

 

Reader Comments (38)

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Liam Reilly
1 Posted 05/12/2018 at 07:25:41
Silva "I know him very well, I've followed his career since he first started to play at Benfica."

Brands "He's veey smart and Ive known him quite a long time."

Seem to be really good man managers, always saying the right thing.

The club is in good hands.

David Ellis
2 Posted 05/12/2018 at 08:22:26
He won't want to go anywhere else but us (because of the knock to his confidence when he moved to Barca and the risk that that may happen again if he goes to a "bigger" club) and he won't want to go back to Barca (and they don't really want him).

So actually I think Everton hold most of the cards on this one. We'll definitely sign him.

Dale Rose
3 Posted 05/12/2018 at 09:15:35
It's a huge yes from me.

Pure quality.

Jason Broome
4 Posted 05/12/2018 at 09:30:17
This is a must. Sign Gomes and our midfield would remain as one of the strongest in the Premier League.

I just hope that there are no stupid buy-back clauses like the Deulofeu deal.

Simon Smith
5 Posted 05/12/2018 at 09:44:54
Fernandinho is 34 before end of season.
David Silva is 33 before end of season.

Would Gomes look out of place at Mam City? I think not.

Kante is playing out of position alongside Barkley or Kavacivic (who is also on loan). Does anyone think Gomes would look out of place at Chelsea?

Milner, Henderson, Kieta, or basically any of the red shites midfield, does anyone rate any of them even close to Gomes?

Arsenal, Man Utd, Spurs and so on, do you really believe Gomes wouldn't walk in them sides?

I think my point is that if we don't hurry up and sign this gem of a player then his agent will have everyone of the above clubs calling him every other week with deals.

Gomes was born to play in the Premier League, he's big, strong, skillfull and plays box to box, people have likened him to Arteta, for me he has attributes to see a resemblance, but he also reminds me of Fellaini. Don't get me wrong, Fellaini doesn't have skills like Gomes but he was big and strong and could cover the whole pitch, he was an imposing figure, and he could run games. For me, Gomes is a mixture of the two but looks even better.

Just think the lads just getting up to speed, he's probably not even 100% match fit and he run a game at Old Trafford, he stood out at the Emirates, he run a mock at Anfield, everyone is watching, everyone is aware that he's special, we need to complete this deal asap.

Forget a striker, let's move out Schniederlin, Tosun, Niasse, and put whatever it takes to complete the Gomes deal.

Before next season, we can get a striker to replace Lukaku who hasn't ever really been replaced, we will have Bolasie, Besic, Williams, Martina and Garbutt off the wage bill, we will probably move McCarthy on allowing Davies and Beningami to take the slots on the bench.

Gomes has to be the priority, the deal needs doing before someone turns the guy's head. I couldn't bear to see him playing centre-mid against us next season, it would be a disaster.

Derek Thomas
6 Posted 05/12/2018 at 09:45:19
Get the signing of him out of the way in January.

The striker will wait until June. Nobody's going to sell us a decent striker in January anyway.

Tony Everan
7 Posted 05/12/2018 at 10:12:56
I agree fully when Simon above says,

'Forget a striker, let's move out Schniederlin, Tosun, Niasse, and put whatever it takes to complete the Gomes deal.'

It is imperative it's done and dusted before the end of January; if not, I think we won't get him.

Jer Kiernan
8 Posted 05/12/2018 at 10:21:26
Dear Santa :)

Get this guy signed, The ball sticks to his boots like glue – I've never seen anything like it. He ran the game on Sunday, Can't help feeling even Barca are letting this guy slip through the cracks.

There is still plenty we can offload to subsidise this move. Get it done, please.

James Marshall
9 Posted 05/12/2018 at 10:29:56
It's fair to say that all Evertonians want Andre Gomes for Christmas for varying reasons.

Fantastic footballer, bloody decent bloke, handsome, beautiful hair, the right age. He has something for everyone.

Simon Smith
10 Posted 05/12/2018 at 10:39:03
😂😂😂
Derek Knox
11 Posted 05/12/2018 at 10:46:13
While I agree that getting André Gomes as part of the permanent staff is a must, while hopefully shipping out Schneiderlin, Niasse and possibly Tosun, I still believe that either promoting a striker from the youngsters to first-team duty (risky) or getting a striker in is also a priority.

We can't just rely on Richarlison or Sigurdsson for goals, I like Calvert-Lewin but when he plays he always seems to drift out to the left, rather than stay central. I like Tosun too, but he needs too much time on the ball, his first touch is woeful, and his goal return...… well enough said.

Simon Smith
12 Posted 05/12/2018 at 10:51:20
Derek, I'd like to see Calvert-Lewin given chances along with Walcott as replacements for Richarlison, also we could be brave and see what Sambou or Simms could do given 10 minutes off the bench.

If we need Richarlison back wide then between Calvert-Lewin and Walcott I think we will get enough goals to get were we need to be this season (top 6/8).

Phil Sammon
13 Posted 05/12/2018 at 10:51:46
Don’t know how significant it is, but Barça have just given away his squad number to some lad from their reserves.
Jim Bennings
14 Posted 05/12/2018 at 10:53:45
We must sign him — simple as that!

I'm guessing £20 million would have been lobbed on his transfer value if he had scored on Sunday, lol.

Stan Schofield
15 Posted 05/12/2018 at 11:13:25
In the past, many posts on ToffeeWeb have asked how many of our players would get into top sides. Now, looking at the team that played at the weekend, that is a very fine Everton side, and most if not all of them would be candidates for any top team.

Gomes, in particular, is absolutely top class, it's written all over him with his elegant use of a football, which is a delight to the eye. We've often mocked our motto Nil Satis Nisi Optimum, but Gomes fits it perfectly, as does this current Everton side, certainly as far as I'm concerned.

If he becomes a permanent Everton player, as I'm sure he will, it will make Evertonians very happy.

Dave Speed
16 Posted 05/12/2018 at 11:19:56
We shouldn't wait to raise the cash for Gomes. If Mosh doesn't already have it earmarked then we have that slush fund we arranged with the Chinese bank to dip into. Just get his bloody name on the dotted line and post date it to be active on January 1st, ffs.

Also, on Sunday for a while I could have strangled Pickford. The bigger picture is that he has won us more than he's cost us, and goalie mistakes are usually more costly. It was just the circumstances, that's all. I don't want to be like the RS and hound a really good goalie out of the club.

Another thing is that refs need to protect Richarlison more. He is fouled numerous times in every game but doesn't get them all, and they are slow at giving out cards. There was one almost incident where Bobby the Racist (Firmino) tried to stamp down his leg and on his foot, with his unnatural pearly whites grimacing in hatred. This was not picked up on by anyone.

Finally, I am patient with our triple-M management structure, especially the coach. If we are honest, then we are exceeding our expectations at the moment. Few would have expected that derby performance, and the position we are in. But for some really bad luck, defending, and ref decisions, against Wolves, West Ham and Bournemouth, we could have found ourselves in a Champions League slot.

As others have pointed out, scoring in the 4 games against the Arse, Manure (I know we scored one), Chelski and the shite could have resulted in an even higher total, and who knows? Not quite fine margins but not far away.

It's no flash in the pan either. Marco has a plan, a method – dare I say it – an identity for Everton that is sustainable. It may not come to bear fruit this season, so no Lyons-esque "This is our year" from me, but I believe that it will come.

Rob Halligan
17 Posted 05/12/2018 at 11:23:23
I mentioned on another thread a couple of weeks back, that I'm pretty certain a player can be signed on a permanent deal at the club he is on loan to, outside of the transfer window.

Didn't we sign Tim Howard on a permanent deal from Man Utd outside the transfer window, but only on the stipulation he didn't play against United that season?

If this still applies, then get it done now, and don't wait until January.

Clive Rogers
18 Posted 05/12/2018 at 11:49:03
Simon #12,

Calvert-Lewin has now made 54 appearances for Everton for 7 goals while Walcott has 5 goals for Everton but only 3 this season and only 1 in his last 13 games.

These stats don't justify your confidence in their goal-scoring abilities. Also, both of them lose possession far too easily to lead the line.

Jim Bennings
19 Posted 05/12/2018 at 11:53:57
Probably should have got someone like Mitrovic instead of blowing £27 million on Tosun, the Fulham lad is a cheaper option and looks a bit more aggressive and strong.

I'd be looking at Callum Wilson from here on.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

20 Posted 05/12/2018 at 12:12:15
Not reported in Lyndon's opening post, but when the journo who asked about signing Gomes followed up Marco's answer, saying: 'He is going to be expensive' (in reference to the claimed €100 million buy-out clause), Marco gave one of his Portuguese shrugs and calmly replied:

"Sometimes an expensive player over time works out as a cheap player, rather than having several £5-10 million players who hardly play". (Niasse, Schneiderlin, Klaassen, possibly even Tosun – all considerably more than that £5-10 million figure, any one..?).

After a couple of torrid years when Gomes by his own admission fell into depression, doubting his own abilities, he is clearly relishing his football – and life – again at Everton. Should they sell, he will be wary of repeating his Barcelona experience by joining an 'unknown' club.

He knows what he gets by signing for Everton, with the temptation of being our 'main man'.

Together with Phil's comment @ 13 that André's shirt at Barcelona has just been given to a reserve player, this gives us a wee bit of encouragement that we could land him permanently, maybe even in the upcoming January window.

Pete Edwards
21 Posted 05/12/2018 at 12:18:14
Clive, how many of those 54 appearances have been starts v's subs and how many of them have seen Calvert-Lewin play up top?
Henrik Lyngsie
22 Posted 05/12/2018 at 12:20:33
I got worried when I read an article about Pochettino. The Spurs chief scout was at Anfield to watch the derby. And, when asked what he was doing there, he said, "Wait there might be a big surprise coming up in January."

My fear is that he was talking about Gomes to Spurs. He would be a very attractive player for them.

I have no idea what the loan clause is stating. Can Barca call him back and sell him in January?

Hope is just me getting paranoid. I would really like to keep him. And I have a feeling that he is still only on 90%.

Anthony Hawkins
23 Posted 05/12/2018 at 12:27:36
Gomes plus a proper quality striker are the main moves the club needs.
Jer Kiernan
24 Posted 05/12/2018 at 12:59:58
Anthony @23,

If we sign Gomes and a 15- to 20-goal-a-season striker, as far as Top 4 finish, I believe the gloves are off. We came close at times with Moyes at the helm and didn't bolster when needed. Hopefully we don't make the same mistakes again.

Moshiri – get the lad signed! If your stuck for the readdies ,give your good pal Usmanov a bell. :)

ps: Before anybody says it... Yes, I do believe Moshiri reads TW posts for advice on how to spend his vast fortune, especially mine!

Chris Gould
25 Posted 05/12/2018 at 13:08:45
There's no doubt that we'll try and sign him, and there's little doubt in my mind that he'll want to stay, but the problem is Barcelona.

They are unlikely to agree a permanent deal in January as they will know that more clubs will be interested in the summer. They will use the other interest to drive up his price. They tried to do the same with Mina, but Brands stood firm in the knowledge that Mina wanted to come and that Barcelona had to sell.

Brands will have a plan, and providing Gomes refuses to consider going elsewhere then a deal will likely happen. Sadly, Barcelona will likely drag it out to the very end of the summer transfer window once they finally accept that Gomes will only consider signing for us. There will be many interested parties.

They treated Deulofeu dreadfully. Bought him back with no intention of keeping him any longer than the buy-back clause insisted. They then flogged him for a profit without any concern for the player himself. They'll do the same with Mina if they believe they can squeeze a profit. They don't care how it affects the player.

Henrik,

If we've paid £2 million for his services for the season then I doubt Barcelona are able to recall him in January and sell to another club. Just can't see that happening.

Simon Smith
26 Posted 05/12/2018 at 14:14:20
Clive @18.

Hi mate, appreciate the comment but it's not as though I'm 100% confident or nothing, I'm basing my comment on that Theo has scored goals in this league for near on a decade now. He hit 20 for Arsenal in his last season, I genuinely believe he can score for us with the chances we're creating. As for Calvert-Lewin the lad seems to be able to score v the lesser sides, he's young and improving, with the right service he can do a job, I'm not calling him an Aguero, but he's no worse than Niasse.

Everyone is aware we need a striker, my point is we currently need to do everything in our power to sign up Gomes before we worry about anything else.

Niasse and Tosun haven't cut the mustard, Richarlison will suffice as a striker for now, but Theo and Calvert-Lewin can fill in as either subs or play in lesser games vs the bottom half. If they have Sigurdsson, Gomes, Bernard, Lookman and Richarlison feeding them, I think we will have plenty enough to topple the lesser sides.

Gordon Crawford
27 Posted 05/12/2018 at 14:55:46
It's being “rumoured” that Liverpool, Spurs and teams like PSG are looking at making a bid for Gomes. We've got to get this guy snapped up ASAP, or this will go to the highest bidder rather quickly.
Harry Hockley
28 Posted 05/12/2018 at 15:51:43
Absolute priority that we try and sign Gomes permanently as a soon as we can.

A striker in January is second priority; do this, Mr Brands, and I will be impressed. We will really start to scare the "bigboys".

Jamie Crowley
29 Posted 05/12/2018 at 16:13:30
This guy had an absolutely gawd-awful time at Barca. So much so, he went into depression.

He loves it here by all accounts, is happy, and is without a doubt turning into "the man".

We'll sign him. The player is going to force the move here if it comes to it. I'd be very, very surprised if we didn't.

Tony Everan
30 Posted 05/12/2018 at 16:38:55
Let's hope so, Jamie, When it comes to picking the team, his name is first on the sheet.
Simon Smith
31 Posted 05/12/2018 at 16:58:55
Gana and Gomes just seem to compliment each other so well, we almost play Sigurdsson up top a lot of the time now, they are a perfect partnership for 4-4-2 formation.
Kieran Kinsella
32 Posted 05/12/2018 at 17:58:29
Press are saying he doesn't want to go back to Barca but that doesn't necessarily mean he wants to stay at Everton. But fingers crossed.

Different players, different times but I remember when we had Big Dunc on loan, there were rumours that Dalglish was circling with a bid from Blackburn. Likewise, I remember when Campbell was on loan, various other teams started to be linked with him before Bill found £3 million down the back of the sofa.

I don't know if there were ever other bids for those guys but I like to think that both of them developed a fondness for the club while on loan so a permanent deal was always inevitable.

I am hearing positive hints of the same with Gomes but, on the other side of the spectrum, you have Manny Fernandes who seemed set to sign than waltzed off. We have also had "true blues" like Pienaar who get their heads turned at the thought of leaving the 5th best team for the 4th best team.

Mike Gaynes
33 Posted 05/12/2018 at 19:07:34
Chris #25, I disagree. I don't think Barca will be a problem.

The players and fans there don't want him back, and he wants to stay with us. I don't think Barca will expect a whole lot of eager suitors throwing more money at them, and they're not a club to waste time on players who don't fit. This deal will get done.

And you're entitled to your opinion, but I think they treated Deulofeu better than he deserved. They brought him back and didn't just park him, they handed him a starting job. Gave him a clear shot, ten games, which is more than a flop like Geri should expect from the top club in the world. And he showed his quality, or lack thereof. So they made quick work and sold him -- for no profit at all. Flogged? Mistreated? Not hardly.

And, in case you hadn't noticed, he hasn't done diddly-squat at Watford.

Brian Murray
34 Posted 05/12/2018 at 19:24:06
Tosun back tonight because we have no-one else as a focal point. Roll on January to cull all this mediocrity.
Barry Lambert
35 Posted 05/12/2018 at 19:42:56
I think having so many Portuguese speaking mates around him and Marco must help.They will do everything to persuade him to sign.
Mark Andersson
36 Posted 05/12/2018 at 21:17:51
Let's hope if he does sign, that he continues to improve, and the rest of the team grow into a team that can push for top 4 and win the FA Cup.
Jack Convery
37 Posted 06/12/2018 at 21:37:32
What are you all talking about? He's crap, terrible player. He wouldn't look out of place at Tranmere. No noubt we'll waste a lot of money on him just like Tosun, Niasse, Schneids etc.

Once he's signed, then let the cat out of the bag that we're absolutely made up – til then, keep schtum so Barca don't wake up to what they'll be letting go. As I say, total rubbish.

Vinny Garstrokes
38 Posted 10/12/2018 at 13:14:21
I think we may get him but, judging by the rumour mills today, it may be at the cost of Richarlison.

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