Everton man reacts as Andre Gomes transfer confirmed after Goodison Park exit with fans get attracted
Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia has sent former teammate Andre Gomes a new message after his move to Lille was confirmed.
The Portuguese midfielder departed Goodison Park after six seasons with the Toffees at the end of last season as the Blues took the decision to not extend the 31-year-old’s contract on Merseyside.
Having spent the entirety of the transfer window as a free agent, the former Barcelona man has made the move back to France with Lille where he spent a season on loan during his time at Everton and Virginia has been quick to react.
Commenting on Lille and Gomes’ Instagram post on Friday (6 September) the keeper said: “Come on brother,” followed by a red heart emoji.
Andre Gomes finds new club after summer Everton and Goodison Park exit
Gomes may not have ever hit the heights expected of him in an Everton shirt, but the Portuguese international remained a popular figure on Merseyside as he fought his way back from one of the worst injuries most Blues fans will have seen.
The 31-year-old was never particularly consistent at Goodison Park, but he was capable of pulling off the spectacular at his best and when he was fully fit and firing he added a different presence in the middle of the park.
Hopefully, with his move back to Ligue 1, the midfielder will be able to rediscover his best form and remain fit and healthy. He impressed during his loan spell with Lille last time out and there is no reason he can’t do the same again.
The worry from a Toffees’ perspective will be whether or not they have the strength in depth in the middle of the park to entirely replace Gomes.
Hopefully, the last-minute additions made by Sean Dyche will bolster their ranks to carry them through the campaigns.
In other Everton news, a Youseff Chermiti loan exit has already been mooted already after new transfer developments at Goodison
Everton are currently subject to a takeover bid from Textor, who also owns Lyon and has shares at Crystal Palace.
Mangala joined from the French club on a season-long loan in the final week of the window, bolstering the Toffees’ squad following Amadou Onana’s exit.
The Premier League assess all transfers for fair market value, while clubs in the same multi-club network and Uefa competition are barred from trading players.
“He’s still got to go through the due diligence, so he has zero standing or control at Everton yet.
“It’s probably a deal which has been done through sporting directors, and Mangala will have been on the list even without Textor being involved at Lyon.
