Everton
have rejected Chelsea's bid of around £40m-£45m for forward Anthony Gordon.
Conversations between the two clubs have been ongoing for a few days but the
London club have now made their interest official. However, it is understood
Everton remain uninterested in selling the player and a new contract remains
on the table for Gordon.
An improved offer from Chelsea may well test Everton's resolve, though, as
Frank Lampard needs to add forward options to his squad before the transfer
window ends and a potential deal would raise the finances to make that
happen.
Chelsea were linked with a move for Gordon last week but it was understood
Everton had not received a formal bid at that stage.
Tottenham wanted to sign the England U21 international in a package deal
with Richarlison for a combined £80m earlier in the summer but were not
successful. Newcastle also made an approach, but did not submit a formal
bid.
Thomas Tuchel's side have spent a league-topping £176.5m on new signings
this summer, primarily on three first-team signings: Marc Cucurella (£63m),
Raheem Sterling (£47.5m) and Kalidou Koulibaly (£34m).
Gordon has started both of Everton's Premier League games so far this
season, playing as a false No 9 in the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin as
the striker recovers from a knee injury.
Gordon has made 51 Premier League appearances so far for Everton, scoring
four goals.
It was his free-kick which led to Jarrad Branthwaite scoring an equaliser
against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in December last year.
Sky Sports' Graeme Souness said: "£40m for a 21-year-old who has played 51
times in the Premier League? He's not set the heather on fire yet.
"He's a dribbler and he's quick enough. For me, he goes to ground a bit too
easily but that's a lot of money for someone who's only played 50 games.
It's not screaming at you when you see him play that he's going to be a top
man."
New Chelsea owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have spent their first
summer at the Stamford Bridge helm conducting a swift overhaul in every
department.
The ambitious US bosses have already spent big on Sterling, Koulibaly,
Cucurella and Carney Chukwuemeka.
Highly-promising young goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina has been signed and will
remain on loan at Chicago Fire, while the Blues continue to chase Inter
Milan's teenage midfielder Cesare Casadei.
Chelsea are understood to be in negotiations with Barcelona over a deal for
striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while the quest to prise Wesley Fofana
away from Leicester also continues.
'Everton cannot afford to let Gordon
leave'
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
"It's a lot of money (£40m) for a young player who is just coming onto the
scene, but I don't see how Everton could accept that. The position they find
themselves in right now, lacking attacking players.
"He's the one big hope for the club. The supporters aren't deaf at Everton.
They've lost their first two games and they know they're in for a difficult
season. They need attacking players to come in so there's no way they can
let him go.
"Especially with him being a local lad, he's the one fans are hanging their
hats on. I think it would have to be a lot higher than that if Everton are
going to sanction that."
Where would Gordon fit in at Chelsea?
Sky Sports' Karen Carney:
"There's been rumours of Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech going so he'd be
more of a like-for-like replacement for one of them. He's young, he's an
English talent and that's the sort of recruitment they've gone for.
"They want some young and some experienced players. In terms of getting in a
recognised centre forward, he's not the type of player or answer that's been
spoken about."
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