Andre Gomes returned to squad after a long absence just prior to the lockdown (Getty Images)
According to a recent report by The Times, Premier League outfit West Ham United are said to be lining up a summer swoop for Everton’s Portuguese star. The 25-year-old was on loan at Goodison Park from Barcelona and it has been suggested that the Merseyside club are extremely keen on securing their man’s signature.
It is being reported that West Ham are willing to pay in the region of £18m to try and lure the Barcelona man to London. This interest has certainly put the Hammers in the driving spot ahead of the Toffees. Considering that Everton didn’t add an option to buy in his initial loan contract, his future could still be up in the air.
Despite Barcelona’s initial valuation of more than double of the Hammers’ initial bid, they haven’t been put off. They are said to be lining up a multitude of bids to bring their man to the London Stadium. Since joining Everton from Barcelona at the start of the season, Gomes initially struggled to mix in with the side and found it really difficult to get involved.
Over the course of the campaign though, he really came into his own in some of the bigger games. Still only 25, Gomes brought a certain degree of control in the midfield area and despite his rather large frame, he gets around the pitch and puts himself around with utmost ease.
Having been trained by Barcelona for so many years, there’s no need to question his footballing mentality either.
Supremely gifted on the ball, Gomes has the ability to pick up the ball in tight spaces and simply glide past defenders. Quite a rare quality possessed by few players in the Premier League, his ability to see spaces to move into with the ball make him a special talent. Able to pick out passes from massive distances, he even boasts a mean strike with either feet.
Since joining Barcelona in 2016, the Portuguese star hasn’t had quite the impact at the Nou Camp that he would have hoped for. After a few years in Catalonia, the time would be right from him to leave in search of new challenges.
The Premier League can be the ultimate challenge and an aspiring team like West Ham could always use the numbers as well.
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His season in the Premier League was certainly mixed bag at best as he managed to notch up just 1 goal and 1 assist from his 27 league appearances this season.
Despite this though, the control and composure that he brings to the plate in the middle of the park is second to none and West Ham would be getting an absolute steal by signing this talented midfield star.