Everton are finalising a move for Andre Gomes, with Marco Silva strengthening the midfield ahead of a top-six push next season. The 25-year-old’s arrival may spell the end for James McCarthy at Goodison Park, however.
The £50k-per-week midfielder has been on the periphery at Everton after struggling for fitness and playing time. McCarthy has made just five Premier League appearances in the last two seasons and is out of contract in 2020.
With the Irish international falling behind Gomes, Idrissa Gueye, Tom Davies and Morgan Schneiderlin in the pecking order last season, it appeared his fate was sealed. But there may have been a slim chance of a reprieve if the Toffees missed out on transfer targets and lost Idrissa Gueye to Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Gomes is close to signing and PSG are yet to lodge a serious bid for Gueye, which means McCarthy will have too much midfield competition in 2019/20. Since joining Everton from Wigan in 2013, the 28-year-old has made 133 appearances in all competitions, scoring and creating 16 goals.
Injuries have blighted his time at Goodison, but a fresh start this summer could see McCarthy turn his career around.