Everton boss Marco Silva has reminded Andre Gomes, who has emerged as a target for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, that the Toffees believed in him more than other clubs when they snapped him up.
Gomes, who was deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelona last summer, secured a season-long switch to the Premier League with Everton ahead of the ongoing season.
The Portuguese midfielder has excelled at Goodison Park under the tutelage of Silva and Everton are keen on wrapping up a permanent deal for the player in the summer.
However, the Toffees will face stern competition from Tottenham, who are also believed to be interested in securing a deal for the Barcelona loanee.
Spurs are prepared to sanction around £30m to snare Gomes away from Merseyside during the close season, and as such, Silva feels Everton must show ambition to strike a deal for the midfielder.
The Everton boss also sent a coded message to Gomes, ahead of the Tottenham target deciding his future, by reminding him of the belief the Toffees showed in him.
“He said he has not decided anything on his future”, Silva told a press conference, when asked about Gomes.
“Now it is up to us to show ambition.
“Nine months ago we believed in Andre more than other clubs.”
Gomes, who joined Barcelona from Valencia in 2016, is not expected to be on the books at Nou Camp beyond the summer, but whether he will be at Everton or Spurs, or somewhere else, remains to be seen.
