Everton in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Neal Maupay as Chelsea make Anthony Gordon choice

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Everton are moving ahead with plans to bolster their attacking line with Neal Maupay now reportedly close to signing while Chelsea continue to pursue a deal for Anthony Gordon. Frank Lampard is set for a busy final week of the transfer window with both incomings and outgoings.

Keeping hold of Gordon may be his biggest battle with multiple reports indicating that he wants to leave for Stamford Bridge. Everton have so far rejected two offers from Chelsea for the highly-rated forward, but the Blues seemingly haven’t given up hope.

It’s claimed that Chelsea are prepared to pay up to £60million for the 21-year-old. Everton are already stretched thin in the front line with Gordon having to play the first two games of the season as the central striker.

He’s more used to playing out wide and was back in his preferred position last weekend in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest from the start. Solomon Rondon remains the only recognised striker in Lampard’s squad with Dominic Calvert-Lewin out injured.

Gordon’s utility to play through the middle for Everton in the opening games of the season has helped Lampard out but it now looks like the Toffees boss is set to get some reinforcements up top. Sky Sports claim Everton are in ‘advanced negotiations’ to sign Maupay from Brighton.

Fulham appeared to be in the ascendency to sign Maupay earlier this week, but Everton have now seemingly jumped to the front of the queue. There’s still ‘some work’ to be done for the deal to be finalised, but Everton appear to be moving forward in their attempts to sign a forward.

Southampton star Che Adams also remains on the radar for Everton, but Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has made it abundantly clear the striker won’t be sold. “I can categorically say that he’s our player and he will stay with us and that we love him,” Hasenhuttl said. “Especially when he scores goals.

He added: “He’s our player and we will definitely not sell him this summer.”

It’s not clear whether Everton’s interest in Maupay affects the future of Gordon or not, but Jamie Carragher doesn’t think the Toffees should sell. He said: “It’s a lot of money for a young player who is just coming onto the scene, but I don’t see how Everton could accept that. The position they find themselves in right now, lacking attacking players.

“He’s the one big hope for the club. The supporters aren’t deaf at Everton. They’ve lost their first two games and they know they’re in for a difficult season. They need attacking players to come in so there’s no way they can let him go. Especially with him being a local lad, he’s the one fans are hanging their hats on. I think it would have to be a lot higher than that if Everton are going to sanction that.”

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