Everton have dismissed Chelsea’s latest approach for winger Anthony Gordon.
The London club are understood to have made contact with the Blues last night, to discuss a deal which could rise to above £44m with a series of bonuses and add-ons for the 21-year-old.
But Everton chiefs have made clear their valuation of the home grown talent, who has emerged as one of their brightest young stars, is simply not for sale at that price.
Mirror Sport understands boss Frank Lampard and chairman Bill Kenwright are determined to keep the England U21 star, and it will take a significantly increased offer to get them to come to the table.
That will leave the ball firmly in Chelsea's court, with new Stamford Bridge owner Todd Boehly’s consortium determined to back manager Thomas Tuchel in their first transfer window.
Gordon has emerged as a surprise target, given last season’s third best team in the Premier League are lacking an obvious centre forward after allowing Romelu Lukaku to join Inter Milan on loan. They appear to have plenty of cover in Gordon’s position as a wide player in a front three, with new signing Raheem Sterling most suited to that role, and the likes of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic also operating there.
But Chelsea mean business after sounding out both Everton and the player’s representatives, with Gordon understandably understood to be keen on a move to a Champions League club with real ambition. And that could persuade them to return with an improved offer to really test Goodison resolve. Even Everton’s long suffering fanbase under the curious regime of Farhad Moshiri are split on whether selling Gordon represents a good deal.
Many feel a player who scored just four goals and produced two assists in 40 appearances during his breakthrough campaign last season, should be sold to finance moves for a new signings. Everton are desperate to land a striker before the weekend where they face Nottingham Forest, and a potential sale of Gordon would release funds to bring in another centre forward, with first choice number nine Dominic Calvert-Lewin ruled out for at least six weeks.
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There is a suggestion £50m may be enough to persuade even Lampard that his team can be strengthened with the sale of Gordon. And Chelsea could tempt him by offering players as part of the deal.
Lampard of course, managed at Stamford Bridge where he oversaw the progress of several youngsters, including the likes of Mount and Hudson Odoi. He was also involved in the development of some fringe Chelsea players, such as highly rated 20-year-old striker Armando Broja, who could be used in part exchange.
Lampard also wants a midfielder, and two of his former players could be available, with 21 year old Scotland international Billy Gilmour told he can find a new club after being cut from Chelsea’s pre-season tour of America. England international Conor Gallagher, 22, is also a potential target, but Newcastle have been inching closer to a deal for the midfielder who impressed on loan with Crystal Palace last season. Everton are also close to an agreement to bring Idrissa Gana Gueye back to Goodison from PSG, but the deal is still held up by the player’s dispute over bonuses he believes he is entitled to.
