Will He Stay or Will He Go: Where Will Andre Gomes Go This Summer?

Everton manager Marco Silva and director of football Marcel Brands started up their first season in partnership with a flurry of high-profile signings while shedding some of the existing mass of players calling Goodison Park home. Within the flurry was a small raid of Camp Nou, which included the transfers of gifted left-back Lucas Digne and want-away central midfielder Andre Gomes, with the Portuguese playmaker coming in on loan.

The two have fit in very well at Everton. It could be argued that Digne has been the team’s player of the season, and while it took a little while for him to overcome an injury and a lapse in judgement has led to a suspension, Gomes has also been able to shine in a way that he simply couldn’t with Barcelona. However, being on a season-long loan means that Gomes’ future is not yet decided, so where will the central midfielder end up in the summer?

Spurs Have Started Sniffing Around

Tottenham Hotspur have been on the cusp of something great for a few years, which nevertheless is  likely held back this season due to not spending any money while their incredible new stadium was being finished. Next season, manager Mauricio Pochettino is expected to get all of the backing that he needs to deliver silverware to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, with the club already said to be interested in the £30 million signing of Andre Gomes.

If the club stays the course, Everton could be a few seasons of refinement away from pushing on the big six. Right now, Spurs may just be a Gomes-sized piece away from coming out on top of the top six. The club is already at 1/6 to finish in the top four of the Premier League and third-favourites at 4/1 to win the Champions League in the sports betting, avoiding both Barcelona and Liverpool in the semi-finals – and that’s without making a single signing all season.

With a strong team, a great manager, a brand new stadium, a need for a more creative deep-lying midfielder in their starting XI, and intent to win trophies, an offer from Spurs may be too good to resist.

Would Gomes Go Back to Barcelona?

studded as Barcelona, it wouldn’t be beyond reckoning that Andre Gomes’ parent club would now see value in keeping him on their books. There’s bound to be turnaround at Camp Nou, with Coutinho continuing to disappoint their outspoken fan base, but central midfield looks locked down.

With the likes of Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal, Rafinha and others competing for a similar role to the one that Gomes prefers, it seems very unlikely that the Portuguese midfielder would be able to muscle his way into a regular – or even a semi-regular – starting role. Due to the pressures of being at the club, Gomes says that he had many bad experiences at Barcelona, which adds more reason to him wanting to leave.

Unless Barcelona unexpectedly sell the glut of their central midfield corps, there doesn’t seem to be a place for Gomes at Camp Nou. He’s very talented and has proven his worth this season, but the best option for both parties seems to be a permanent transfer.

Marco Silva Wants to Keep Gomes at Goodison

Playing in the middle of the park, often alongside defensive maestro Idrissa Gueye and behind the ever-dangerous Gylfi Sigurdsson, Gomes has proven his ability on the ball, high-level of football IQ, determination and athleticism. With continued first-team football, he could develop into one of the league’s premier central midfielders as he turns into his prime. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Marco Silva is pushing to sign the midfielder.

Most importantly, Gomes seems to be enjoying his time with the club and playing football again. Without so much pressure while playing in Silva’s exciting style, Gomes has been able to flourish. He has stated that he is happy at the club, but that he shall not decide the end of the season out of respect for all of the clubs involved and potentially involved.

Despite the stats sheet only reading one goal and two assists through 26 games due having an injury on arrival, Gomes’ ability to control the play and read runs made by his teammates has been astounding to watch. As the season has progressed, so has he, showing regular flickers of the reasons why a club of Barcelona’s stature purchased him in the first place.

Remaining at Goodison Park, where he would be a guaranteed starter each week, would only bring good things to the club and Gomes’ career.