Everton’s summer could be spent focusing on two midfielders, a centre-back and a winger currently on the club’s books, and those who could replace them.
One of the midfielders already at Goodison Park, Andre Gomes, though, has suggested that he could look to stick around on Merseyside beyond his loan from Barcelona.
Speaking with Sky Sports ahead of our Super Sunday showdown with Chelsea, the 25-year-old addressed his uncertain future, and his insight can be seen as great news to those among the fanbase keen to retain the Portugal international.
If you are of the thinking that his input – one goal and one assist in 24 games – is insufficient for the €40million (£34.1m) price tag that Barcelona are reportedly asking for, then look away now.
“I have to say that I am really happy here,” Gomes said. “At the moment I am happy with everyone, [but] obviously I’m not so happy because as a club we want more.
“I am enjoying playing for Everton and enjoying my life here but I have to wait ‘til the end of the season. I am one of the people who can decide the future but I am still a Barcelona player and I have to respect everybody.
“I will decide at the end of the season, but right now I am happy here.”
Along with Gomes, the future of Idrissa Gana Gueye is likely to crop up again when the season draws to a close after he failed to leave for Ligue 1 in January.
Henry Onyekuru is another Everton name constantly in the headlines, as clubs from around Europe get linked with the Nigerian in case he does not secure a UK work permit again.
Then we have Kurt Zouma, a defender Marco Silva publically stated he wished to sign in the summer last year, only to have to settle for a loan deal, and will again attempt to buy in 2019, although Chelsea’s transfer ban may play a deciding factor in our efforts here.
But for Gomes, his comments hint towards a boost in the club’s efforts to secure his future, and the midfielder’s words earned these responses on social media…
Absolutely. His mental resilience seems suspect but his ability is unquestionable. In a team playing well he would be a dream and to some a dreamboat. Not me of course, I’m a man’s man.
— ken (@jockwink) March 15, 2019
Pre the first derby he was a £40 mill player now anything over £20 mill Barca are pulling our pants down
— Michael (@MLoughlin1878) March 15, 2019
Scary to buy both him and Zouma it’s roughly 80m to stand still
— Tony Martin (@pincher1878) March 15, 2019
On recent performances certainly not worth 40M …,
— Mike Gibbons (@Gibbo28) March 15, 2019
So it’s his decision? Show him we want to move forward and sign top players and he’ll sign. I’d love Zouma to stay though.
— neil brimage (@bluebrim) March 15, 2019
Sounds hopeful if we can strike a deal. Have to remember he had some personal issues at Barca so given he’s enjoying life then every chance ????????
— Graeme McVeigh (@GraemeMcV) March 15, 2019
Without a doubt, class act on his day. If we could get him for anything between £25-35m then it’s a no brainier for me. Around the £30m mark and that’s good going imo
— Aide Dews (@AidyDews) March 15, 2019
€35m, probably gonna have to replace Gueye in the summer as well, so losing both of those wouldn’t be good going forward.
— Jack Witter (@jwitter94) March 15, 2019
With a full pre season, a proper season where he’s not played 3 times a week, coming back from injury, I think it’s a no brainer. Plus I’ll fight anyone for him ????
— Marty Graves (@marty_mcfly27) March 15, 2019
Should be our number one priority making his deal permanent, class player and with having this season to adapt and a full pre season, he’ll be even better.
— keith conchie (@keithconchie) March 15, 2019