Chelsea are reportedly set to table an improved bid of £50m for Everton attacker Anthony Gordon.
The Toffees allegedly rejected a £45m offer from the West Londoners on Monday having previously turned down an initial bid of £40m over the weekend.
Gordon has been identified by Chelsea's new owner Todd Boehly as an exciting prospect who can develop into a star player under head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Both The Times and Football Insider claim that the Blues are now set to test Everton's resolve with a new-and-improved £50m bid for the 21-year-old.
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After allowing Richarlison to join Tottenham Hotspur, Everton are desperate to keep hold of Gordon, who still has three years remaining on his contract at Goodison Park.
The Times adds that the Toffees began talks with Gordon and his representatives over a new deal earlier this summer after interest from both Newcastle United and Spurs was rebuffed.
Chelsea have already spent in excess of £150m this summer on five new arrivals, including the addition of attacker Raheem Sterling from Manchester City for around £47.5m.
However, the Blues remain active in the transfer market and are looking to bolster their options in the final third following the departures of both Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.
While Chelsea are expected to target a centre-forward this summer – with Barcelona's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on their radar – they are also keen to lure Gordon to Stamford Bridge as Tuchel continues to build a squad attempting to compete on all fronts in 2022-23.
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Gordon joined Everton's academy from rivals Liverpool in 2012 before making his professional debut for the club in December 2017.
After spending the second half of the 2020-21 campaign on loan with Championship outfit Preston North End, Gordon returned to Everton and has since developed into an important player under Frank Lampard.
The attacker contributed to seven goals in 40 appearances for the Toffees across all competitions last season, including an assist in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea in December last year.
Gordon has since been handed the No.10 shirt at Everton and has operated as a false nine in their opening two Premier League matches against Chelsea and Aston Villa due to the injury sustained to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Oliver Thomas
