Everton have no interest in entertaining bids for Anthony Gordon, the ECHO understands.
Club sources have re-iterated their stance on the 21-year-old amid interest from Chelsea. Gordon had been the subject of attention from Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the summer.
Then, like now, the club remains keen to keep hold of the academy graduate who Frank Lampard has repeatedly spoken highly of. That resolve could be tested should Chelsea, a club that has already sanctioned several big money deals during this transfer window, make a sustained effort to buy him. But Everton's thoughts are currently focused on strengthening the squad, not receiving offers for a key player.
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Chelsea's interest in Gordon emerged over the weekend and was followed by reports the club had submitted a bid in the region of £40m for the England Under-21 international. Sources at Everton insist no official bid was received from the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Whether Chelsea's pursuit of Gordon has extended to enquiries short of an official bid is unclear but the ECHO understands there is no change to the club's position on the player from earlier in the summer, when they said they had no interest in entertaining offers for him.
Should Chelsea make a persistent effort to sign him that stance may come under pressure. Thomas Tuchel's outfit have already spent more than £150m this summer. That figure includes deals for Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucerella. The signing of teenage central midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa has shown the club is willing to spend significant money on young homegrown talent.
While Everton were on tour in the US, Gordon told the ECHO he was looking forward to his increased responsibility following his breakthrough campaign last season. He has been played out of position during Everton's opening two games of the Premier League season, leading the front line in the absence of injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
But Lampard is known to view Gordon highly. Speaking in Washington DC during the pre-season tour, he said: “He can be whatever he wants… he’s absolutely got all the talent, he’s got the right attitude. For me, the next step for Anthony is ‘what are you going to deliver us next year in goals, in assists’… everything is there for Anthony.”
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