Everton fans fell in love with Andre Gomes the moment the Portugal international made his Toffees debut, and the on-loan Barcelona star could look to stick around.
That’s going by quotes reported by Sky Sports, who have been speaking with the 25-year-old about his future with the Blues as part of their coverage of our clash with Chelsea on Sunday.
If Gomes features against the Stamford Bridge outfit, it would mark his 23rd Premier League outing, and another chance to record his second goal with us, having not even taken a shot during our loss at Newcastle.
The 29-cap international has also only registered a single assist – which came in October – but Gomes has stated that he is very happy on Merseyside following his disastrous spell in Catalunya.
“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.”
For the La Liga leaders’ part, Marca understands that they are hopeful we will look to buy Gomes in the summer so that they can put the funds to good use with their own rebuild.
They would, however, be looking to bank €40million (£34.1m) for the midfielder they signed from Valencia for €35m (£29.8m), and Marcel Brands – the third party who can decide Gomes’ future – is yet to show his cards with reports suggesting he has so far not reached out to Barcelona to strike a deal.