Sean Dyche has now claimed that Andre Gomes is ‘aware’ the Everton manager wants to see the midfielder having an impact after a late transfer to Fenerbahce fell through.
The 30-year-old has not represented Everton in a competitive game since enjoying his 100th outing in blue in May 2022. Frank Lampard started Gomes at Goodison Park in a win against Crystal Palace. But he hooked the Portuguese at the break and soon sent him away on loan.
Gomes spent the 2022/23 campaign in Ligue 1 with LOSC Lille, where he played 26 times for three goals. He also laid on two assists in the French top-flight after starting in 18 games. Yet Dyche replacing Lampard in charge at Goodison in February raised questions over his future.
Fenerbahce targeted a last-gasp transfer for Andre Gomes
Everton only have Gomes under contract until the end of the 2023/24 season after signing a five-year contract in 2019. The midfielder agreed to a long-term deal to seal a £22m transfer from Barcelona. He had spent the previous term on loan with the Toffees under Marco Silva.
Silva sought to secure a permanent transfer after Gomes excelled during his temporary stay on Merseyside. His quality regularly shone through to pull the strings and deliver a number of crucial tackles. But a fracture dislocation of his ankle in November 2019 ruined his career.
Gomes has never quite recaptured the form he displayed up until the injury that required an operation. Add in his contractual situation and Fenerbache sensed a chance for his cut-price transfer before the Super Lig sales slammed shut this Friday. But no move would materialise.
Reports by TEAMtalk earlier this week noted that talks between Everton and Fenerbahce on a £5m transfer for Gomes were at an advanced stage. The Yellow Canaries were eager to get a deal over the line with the Toffees open to cashing in. Yet their efforts ultimately fell short.
Sean Dyche wants the Everton outcast to make an impact
TEAMtalk also claimed that Dyche was happy for Everton and Fenerbahce to agree to terms for Gomes’ transfer. He was supposedly open to the move to help trim the Toffees’ wage bill. But Dyche has now stated that he wants Gomes to be a part of his side at Everton this term.
Dyche said during his press conference on Friday, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo: “He has been unfortunate with injuries, not major injuries. He is aware that I want him to get fit and I want him to be a part of what we are doing.
“I think he is a very good footballer and I think he has shown that down the years. I think it is unlikely [that he leaves], I think he will be here at the end of today and I hope he is.”
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