EXCLUSIVE: Everton push sale of Andre Gomes with Benfica eyeing former Barcelona midfielder

Jacque Talbot

• 3 Jan 2024 06:15 CST
• 3 min read

Everton are actively seeking to offload midfielder Andre Gomes, whose hefty weekly wage of £120,000 has become a significant burden on the club, FootballTransfers can reveal.

The midfielder, who started for the club for the first time in over 500 days against Manchester City last week, will be allowed to leave Goodison Park, while he has drummed up interest from Benfica, as well as clubs from the Saudi Pro League.

Gomes has just six months remaining on his deal and the Toffees are reluctant to match his current wage bracket, while there is a belief they could recoup a decent fee for the midfielder.

The club’s current sticky financial situation means that sacrifices will have to be made. Gomes is the third-highest earner at Everton, behind Jordon Pickford and Abdoulaye Doucoure, respectively.

Gomes, who joined Everton from Barcelona in 2018, has struggled to consistently meet the expectations placed upon him. The 28-year-old's performances have come under scrutiny, leading the club to consider parting ways as they look to streamline their wage bill.

Furthermore, we are told that Jesse Lingard is not up for consideration by Sean Dyche, who has a clear vision in mind over the sort of personality he likes. The former Manchester United attacker had been training with Steven Gerrard's side Al Ettifaq after he left Nottingham Forest but did not complete a move to Saudi Arabia.

Everton will look to the loan market

It comes after our story that Everton are targeting Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill for the January transfer window. Everton are going to have to look to the loan market to bring in fresh faces in the winter window, FootballTransfers has been told.

Dyche remains an admirer of Brownhill of Burnley.

The 28-year-old's contract is up in 2024, meaning that the Clarets may look to sell so as to not lose him on a free in the summer.