Everton will ‘fight to keep’ Anthony Gordon at the club this summer amid interest from Chelsea, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues are eager to prise the talented 21-year-old away from his boyhood club before the transfer window slams shut on September 1, but they’ll have to make a substantial bid to do so.
What is the latest news involving Gordon?
Sky Sports have reported that Everton have already rejected Chelsea’s opening offer of between £40 million and £45m for Gordon as they are determined not to lose any more of their top players.
Frank Lampard has already seen Richarlison join Tottenham Hotspur in a £60m move, and it’s claimed that the Toffees are uninterested in selling the Gordon as well.
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It’s also stated that a new contract remains on the table for the England Under-21 international, yet Chelsea are willing to test Everton’s resolve with a fresh approach.
And The Times have revealed that the Merseyside outfit value Gordon at £50m, a figure that Chelsea could be willing to match as they prepared a second offer for the winger.
What has Romano said about Gordon?
Romano has informed GiveMeSport that Gordon would have ‘no problem’ in joining Chelsea, but that Everton are eager to retain his services for at least ‘one more season’.
In an interview with GMS, he said: “On the player side, there will be no problem, but it's also true that Everton will fight to keep the player.
“They would love to keep him for one more season and maybe sell him next summer for a different price. So, at the moment for Gordon, this is the situation.”
How big a loss would Gordon be?
Gordon firmly established himself in the Everton starting XI for the first time in his promising career last season, registering four goals and three assists in 40 appearances across all competitions.
The pacey attacker is comfortable playing on either flank, and it’s perhaps his hard work off the ball as well as the threat he poses in possession that makes him such an intriguing prospect.
As per FBref, Gordon ranked in the 99th percentile for blocks, 96th for pressures and tackles, and the 82nd for interceptions amongst his positional peers over the last year.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin currently sidelined through injury and Richarlison no longer at the club, losing Gordon would surely be a bitter blow to Lampard and Everton’s hopes of avoiding another relegation battle.