Chelsea have £32 million bid for Gomes rejected by Valencia
Chelsea have had a bid for Andre Gomes rejected, with the La Liga side unhappy with the £32 million valuation that the Premier League club have placed on the Portuguese star. The creative midfielder shone for Portugal, despite the Selecção das Quinas failing to impress in their opening 1-1 draw against minnows Iceland.
According to a report in English media house Sky Sports, Valencia have rejected the 32 million bid due to their insistence on obtaining a big fee, since 25% of the fee that Chelsea pay will go to Benfica. Gomes had been a mainstay of the Portuguese giants the year before and arrived at the Mestalla stadium last summer. Valencia are reportedly holding out for an additional £10 million fee, which will allow the La Liga side to eventually pocket £32 million of the £42 million fee.
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The same report notes that Sky sources within Chelsea have revealed that the London club are not likely to increase their offer and might look elsewhere, while also contentiously claiming that Gomes has no additional suitors with Valencia only fielding the bid from Chelsea so far.
Antonio Conte is in the market for a hard-working creative midfielder since Oscar and Cesc Fabregas aren’t particularly suited to his typical 3-5-2 formation.
Manchester United also reportedly interested in Gomes
Andre Gomes signed a contract with Valencia till 2020, and the La Liga side are in a strong position to retain the Portuguese youngster. The 22-year-old moved from Benfica to Valencia for a €15 million fee, and given his stellar season for Los Che, scoring 4 goals and assisting 7 in 41 games for the La Liga side, has attracted interest throughout Europe.
Manchester United are reportedly one of the clubs interested and Gomes is aware of their interest and has spoken of his admiration for new Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, saying “Mourinho is a great coach, no doubt about that, but at the moment I am not concerned about what will happen after the Euros.”
Gomes reiterated his desire to focus on the Euros, saying “It will be my first time at a competition of this type, and I just want to think about that now.” Gomes played 83 minutes of Portugal’s opening Euro game, and registered a game-high 5 key passes, ensuring that he is not too worried about his future.