Everton couldn’t land Andre Gomes or Kurt Zouma permanently this past summer.
Everton boss Marco Silva has told the Liverpool Echo that Barcelona were completely unwilling to discuss a permanent deal for Andre Gomes – just as Chelsea were with Kurt Zouma.
The Toffees have impressed of late, and picked up a 0-0 draw at Chelsea on Sunday, making it just one defeat in the last six for Everton in a strong run of form.
Key to their form has been key summer signings; Lucas Digne, Bernard and Richarlison have all impressed under Silva, and loanees are also making an impact.
Defender Zouma – who arrived on a season-long loan from Chelsea on deadline day in August – has been impressing in the heart of the Everton defence, and he was only taken out for Yerry Mina on Sunday due to being ineligible against his parent club.
Meanwhile, midfielder Gomes, who came in on loan from Barcelona, had to wait until last month for a first start due to injury and fitness problems, but has now started four league games in a row for Everton.
Fans are hopeful of seeing the duo stay at Goodiso Park beyond the end of the season, but boss Silva has discussed just how discussions over permanent moves for Zouma and Gomes panned out over the summer.
Silva has revealed that Barcelona and Chelsea both completely ruled out selling Gomes or Zouma respectively, noting that whilst Everton wanted to buy the duo, their reluctance made Everton pursue loan deals instead.
“If we can buy them in the beginning it is better but you know how the market is,” said Silva. “And in that moment their clubs did not want to sell. Barcelona didn’t even want to listen about selling Andre and Zouma was the same. It was still a good opportunity for us to take them on loan. The market is the market and we have to be aware about everything and all the solutions we can make in our squad,” he added.
It seems unlikely that either player would have a future with their parent clubs, at least in the key roles they have at Everton, and the Toffees may need the duo to demand moves to Goodison Park in order for their clubs to accept permanent moves – and the longer they star at Everton, the more likely that situation becomes.
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