As per numerous media outlets, Anthony Gordon is in advanced talks with Chelsea for a summer move away from Goodison Park.
The London giants have so far seen two bids at £40M and £45M rejected for the 21 year old, as per Paul Joyce. It is understood, Everton are willing to accept no less than £50M, to take the England u21 man away from Goodison Park this summer.
Gordon was a shining light in a miserable campaign last year, breaking through the academy he’d been in since the age of 11. Becoming a real fan favourite, contributing to seven goals and assists, while being praised particularly for his work rate and desire to help the toffees in their relegation scrap.
The Englishman is under contract until 2025 at Goodison Park, however he’s been reportedly offered a new deal, which remains unsigned.
Anthony Gordon has made it clear to Frank Lampard and the Everton board he would be willing to depart the club this summer; despite Frank Lampard and Bill Kenwright keen to keep the player. Many Everton fans believe at £50M, the toffees can sign multiple players to strengthen the side in their pursuit to avoid relegation.
One of the biggest tasks ahead would be replacing the contribution that Gordon provides, it's been 46 days since following the departure of Richarlison to Spurs and the recruitment team are yet to identify an adequate replacement for the Brazilian forward. Everton cannot afford to lose the creativity of Gordon and Richarlison - some argue the duo were the main reason Everton managed to stay in the top flight.
One of the more flexible options linked is Ben Brereton Diaz, scoring a total of 22 goals for Blackburn Rovers last season, Diaz provides Frank Lampard with the ability to play off the left or more centrally - in a role where he scored 13. This addition also has the capacity to provide welcomed challenge to Dominic Calvert-Lewin for his number 9 spot and gives the Chilean a platform to prove himself at the highest level.
Also on the radar of Everton is Ismaila Sarr, of Watford. Sarr contributed to 7 goals in the premier league last year, similar to that of Anthony Gordon and in a much weaker side, playing off the right flank is where Ismailia Sarr was most frequently deployed so for Everton it would almost feel a 'like for like' replacement. Watford aren't desperate to sell even prior to their relegation, due to selling star-man Emmanuel Dennis, the hornets would reportedly be looking to secure a fee of circa £25m and have no indication to accepting Everton's preferred payment of a low upfront fee so this may go down to the last days of the window, when Everton decide if they're ready to commit or not.
Everton could decide to spend a portion of the profit on the much needed striker position, following Dominic Calvert-Lewin's injury. The club have recently been linked with swedish international Viktor Gyokeres, a striker that uses his physical presence and pace as a major part of his game, the Coventry City man scored on 19 occasions last season and has started the current campaign strong with a goal on the opening day. Gyokeres is an option Lampard seems to like as he looks to add a proven goal-scorer to the squad and believes he can also do it in the premier league. A fee of £10-£15m is reported to be enough to prize Gyokeres away from the Sky Blues.
Che Adams is said to be an option Everton are considering and he's a player that has proved himself at the highest level, although Adams seems to be interested in a switch to Goodison Park, manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is unlikely to sanction his exit especially to a premier league rival. Everton were in talks for an initial loan deal with a view to a permanent deal but talks don't look to have progressed since then.
Nevertheless, Everton have a tough challenge to recruit the right signing going forward and will be desperate to find their next prized asset.