Lille’s pursuit of Everton outcast Andre Gomes has stalled due to his wage demands.
That’s according to French outlet Le 11 Lillois, who claim the Ligue 1 club are unlikely to sign the midfielder as they can’t afford to pay his salary.
Gomes looks very likely to leave Goodison Park this summer after previously falling down the pecking order.
The 29-year-old joined the Toffees for £22 million in 2019 but failed to live up to expectations before he enjoyed a successful loan spell with Lille last season.
With only one year left on his contract, Everton are open to cashing in on Gomes and Lille could welcome him back permanently for a cut-price fee.
However, Gomes’ staggering £112,000 per week wages are far from ideal for the French outfit, with the midfielder thought to be raking in almost three times as much as their current highest paid star.
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While it seems likely that Gomes will have to take a pay cut if he leaves Merseyside, it still seems far-fetched for Paulo Fonseca’s side to cough up enough money to bring him back to the club.
Meanwhile, Celta Vigo are circling the former Portugal international, with Rafa Benitez eager for a reunion in Spain.
Everton need to get Andre Gomes off the payroll
Everton’s midfield is looking very light ahead of next season, yet is still seems extremely unlikely that Andre Gomes would be given another chance at Goodison Park.
The 29-year-old is reportedly one of the Toffees’ highest paid players as he remains on the eye-watering salary that he was offered four years ago.
With Gomes’ future at Everton looking very bleak, the club desperately need to offload him this summer if they are to have any chance of affording a squad overhaul.
However, like Lille, his wages will make shifting him from the books rather difficult.