Everton manager Frank Lampard has admitted he wants a definite answer on the future of midfielder Anthony Gordon amid significant interest from Chelsea.
The Blues have indicated a willingness to spend up to £60m on Gordon and are hopeful of getting a deal done for the 21-year-old, who was left on the bench for Everton’s Carabao Cup victory over Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night.
After the game, Lampard cooled suspicions that his team selection was a hint at a future transfer but the boss did admit he wants Gordon’s future sorted as soon as possible.
“Everyone knows there’s interest from Chelsea, it’s very public now, but he’s our player. It’s as simple as that,” the Toffees boss said.
“He was on the bench [because] he had a bit of an issue with his heel after the game against Forest, we kept him out of it completely unless he was absolutely needed tonight, I didn’t feel he was.”
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Asked if he wanted a swift conclusion to the saga, Lampard said: “Yeah, ideally, or carry on and he’s our player, so that’s what it is.”
Gordon has informed Everton of his wish to join Chelsea this summer to allow him to play UEFA Champions League football, but the Toffees are yet to make a final decision on Gordon’s future amid concerns over replacing him this late in the transfer window.
Chelsea do have a handful of players who are of interest to Everton, including midfielder Ross Barkley and Billy Gilmour, as well as Michy Batshuayi, Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah.