Chelsea have seen a £40million offer for Anthony Gordon turned down by Everton, football.london understands. The Blues are searching for another attacker before the transfer window closes at the start of next month, and the 21-year-old Toffees man has been identified as a big target.
Gordon still has three years remaining on his contract at Goodison Park, and earlier this summer, Frank Lampard insisted the Liverpool-born forward is not for sale. "He's worked for it [the new squad number]. You have to earn the number 10," Lampard told Everton TV in July.
"I understand this desire for numbers with players. I was fortunate. I kind of fell into a number eight in my career. I didn't go searching for it, but I understand how it can feel important to you.
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"But I absolutely feel now, especially with the ten, because it has a little bit of magic to it, a bit of flair, and Anthony's got that. He has it in his own style. I've said to him I don't want him to try and think he's doing pirouettes on the halfway line now.
"We need him doing what he was doing last year plus goals plus assists, which Anthony is so hungry to do. But he's earned it absolutely, and he's a link to the crowd, a link to the fans, a local boy who gives everything, a great talent.
"He's going nowhere. He's our player, and that was a hugely important thing to me. He's the sort of player we want to build to go forward with. I'm delighted that he's got his number 10, but now I want him to continue to earn it."
football.london has been told that Everton's stance remains unchanged on the matter. The club insist they will not entertain any offers for Gordon, and that was clear after they quickly turned down the first bid from Chelsea. Despite this, Chelsea are expected to test Everton's resolve once again by submitting another offer for Gordon.
Gordon enjoyed his breakthrough season for Everton last term, where he featured 35 times in the Premier League, scoring four goals and assisting two. The youngster has played in both of the Toffees' games so far this season.
The Premier League's all-time top scorer, Alan Shearer, recently sang the praises of Gordon and lauded him for his "fearless attitude". Speaking on the Premier League's YouTube channel, Shearer said: "A young man that has been causing quite a bit of excitement is Anthony Gordon. Everton fans have really gotten behind the winger, who has shown passion and plenty of ability in what has been a tough season for the Toffees.
"I've personally been impressed by his fearless attitude. He's not afraid to get stuck in, and he tries to make things happen going forward, putting plenty of crosses into the box."
Meanwhile, Chelsea remain in contact with Barcelona for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and are set to ramp up their interest in the former Arsenal captain this week football.london understands. Aubameyang only joined Barca in January, but the La Liga club are open to selling the Gabonese striker, who Thomas Tuchel is keen to reunite with.
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