Everton finally confirmed the permanent capture of Andre Gomes on Tuesday night, with the 25-year-old putting pen to paper on a five-year contract at Goodison Park having left FC Barcelona for £22million.
Marco Silva has since told the club’s official website that retaining the Portuguese ace’s services beyond his one-year loan had been a priority of his and Director of Football Marcel Brands, as well as discussing the factors which helped to retain the former international regular.
“Andre was a really important player for us last season, and I think we were really able to help him, too,” the boss said. “It was a good decision to bring Andre to the club, and we made it one of our priorities to get him back.
“I am delighted we have been able to do that as he is a quality player, and we were so happy with what he gave us. He is someone who has shown he can operate to a high level in the Premier League and for our club, and I know our fans will be fantastic in welcoming him back.
“What Andre learned about the club, our fans and our vision convinced him that this is where he wants to play his football, and I know he shares the big ambitions that we have going forwards.”
Brands and Silva must now look to take that approach further into the transfer market if we are to land some of our other reported targets, as the club’s lack of competitiveness has already seen Olympique Lyonnais star Memphis Depay reject the chance of a move to Goodison Park.
His caution to join the Toffees could hinder our chances of landing his Les Gones teammate Bertrand Traore, who has been heavily linked with a summer switch from Ligue 1 back to the Premier League. Allegedly, we have offered his French outfit £25million for his services, but they are holding out for €40million (£35.8m).
We have also been heavily linked with Ajax sensation David Neres, and the clarity in the club’s vision to compete for honours could boost our chances of acquiring the Brazilian ahead of the competition we would face, with Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Chelsea and many more often mentioned alongside his name.