Everton manager Marco Silva has said that the club must do everything within their reach to acquire the signature of Andre Gomes from Barcelona this summer. The Portuguese midfielder spent the entirety of the 2018/19 season on loan with the Toffees and he was one of their most consistent performers with 27 appearances in the Premier League.

Speaking to reporters, Silva acknowledged that Gomes remains a key part of the club’s plans for the future and the midfielder has to make a decision over his future this summer. He added that the hierarchy are likewise aware of the impression made by the Portuguese, and they must do their best to lure him from the Camp Nou.

He said: “No. I know all the rumours around but the most important thing is what comes from Andre and what comes from our club, our board, is also important. But what comes from Andre is the most important thing for me at this moment. He didn’t have nothing new for me to say now. I am 100% sure when something is decided in his mind I will be one of the first people to know and this is the most important thing. We, as a club, have to do everything to sign him.”

Gomes did not make his first appearance for the club until October as he was recovering from an ankle injury sustained with Barcelona during pre-season. The Portuguese thereafter was almost ever-present through the club’s campaign and that contributed to the Toffees’ positive end to the season where they beat some of the Premier League’s elite.

Gomes is currently valued at around £25m but reports indicate that the Toffees could face competition from Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur. Both teams would be offering the Portuguese with European football unlike Everton and it remains to be seen whether Gomes is prepared to commit his future to the Toffees based on the strong end to the season.