Everton 'close to £22m deal for Andre Gomes'

Everton could complete a permanent deal for Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes as soon as today, according to a report.

The 25-year-old moved to the La Liga outfit from Valencia in 2016 but struggled to hold down a place in the side and last season was sent out on loan to the Toffees.

Gomes became a regular fixture under Marco Silva and made 29 appearances across the season, contributing one goal - albeit in a 3-1 home loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers in February.

According to the Evening Standard, Barca and Everton are now close to agreeing terms over a permanent transfer for a fee of around €25m (£22.3m) plus add-ons and could announce the deal later on Wednesday.

The transfer would see the Catalan giants take a £9m hit on the fee they paid to sign the Portugal international from Los Che three years ago.

Everton have completed just one piece of transfer business so far this summer, bringing in goalkeeper Jonas Lossl on a free from relegated Huddersfield Town.