West Ham have seen their initial £18million bid for Andre Gomes rejected by Barcelona, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster report on their live transfer blog (Monday 27th May, 13:19) that the Hammers’ initial bid had been rejected by the Spanish giants, who are demanding a fee between £25million and £35million.
Sky Sports understand that West Ham will do everything they can to bring the 25-year old to the London Stadium in the summer, after he was identified as a priority target by Manuel Pellegrini, according to The Times.
Gomes impressed last season on loan at Everton, making 29 appearances for the club, scoring one goal and registering two assists in all competitions for the Toffees.
OPINION
It seemed likely after the first bid was made by the club that Pellegrini would have to consider offering the club more money for Gomes in the future based on Sky Sports’ update, and at least now the Hammers have their price. After the initial bid of £18million was rejected, West Ham may now have to shell out almost double the price in which they initially intended to spend, however it still seems like a fair price for a player who would no doubt be coming into the club and playing first team football consistently. There isn’t much more that the London club can do at this moment in time, apart from submit an increased offer for the 25-year old and hope that no other clubs come in for him and convince him into a different switch veering away from West Ham. Pellegrini must act quickly in his chase to sign Gomes however, as there will no doubt be more clubs who have the midfielder on their radar after his price has been named by Barcelona.
