Andre Gomes: Everton close to signing Barcelona midfielder as Leighton Baines signs new deal
Last updated on .From the section Everton
Everton are close to completing the signing of Portugal midfielder Andre Gomes on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell at Goodison Park last season.
Reports in Catalonia say Everton have now agreed a £22m fee with Barcelona for the 25-year-old, who is surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp.
The club has also agreed a new deal with left-back Leighton Baines, 34.
Baines' contract was up in the summer but he will now stay on to July 2020.
Everton have been confident they would seal the Gomes transfer after the player made it clear he only wished to move to Merseyside, rejecting proposed interest from West Ham United.
It would be Everton's second signing of the summer after securing Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Jonas Lossl on a free transfer.
The signing of Gomes will be a coup for manager Marco Silva, who was instrumental in persuading him to come to Everton after his career stalled at Barcelona.
It means Everton will have signed three players from Barcelona since Silva and director of football Marcel Brands arrived at Goodison Park last summer, with France full-back Lucas Digne and Colombia defender Yerry Mina also in their ranks having moved from the Nou Camp.
Everton are expected to recoup some of the outlay when Croatia forward Nikola Vlasic officially completes his proposed £14m move to CSKA Moscow after impressing on loan in Russia last season.
CSKA announced the 21-year-old, who made 19 appearances for Everton after a £10m move from Hajduk Split in August 2017, had signed a five-year deal on their social media channels but it is understood paperwork still needs to be completed before it can be officially announced.
Baines is 'fabric of the club'
Digne's capture restricted Baines to just eight appearances last season but the former Wigan Athletic defender will stay at Goodison for a 13th year.
He has played 411 times for the Toffees since joining them in 2007.
"It was always in my mind to stay because of talks I've had with the manager and Marcel," he explained.
"Leighton is part of the club's fabric and a top-class professional," Silva said.
"Most importantly, Leighton is still an exceptionally good footballer and features in our vision for what we want to achieve at Everton."
