Everton set to sign Gomes as West Ham prepare to drop interest

Everton have been given a huge boost in their bid to sign Andre Gomes with news that West Ham are ready to drop their interest as the midfielder has set his heart on a move to Goodison Park.

The Hammers had made Gomes one of their prime transfer targets this summer and had lodged a second bid with Barcelona worth around £20million.

However, the Standard reports that the club are now ready to drop their interest as the player wants to return to Everton on a permanent deal.

With Tottenham also dropping their interest, the Toffees are now in the clear to sign the 25-year-old.

The news is a huge boost to Toffees fans who had taken Gomes to the hearts during his loan spell at the club last season.

After a difficult spell at Barca, Gomes settled quickly on Merseyside and appeared to embrace the club both on and off the pitch.

As a result it would have been a huge shock had he then turned his back on Everton this summer to move to West Ham, especially as he revealed back in March that he wanted to stay at the club.

The task now is for Everton to negotiate a fee with Barca keen to raise funds to finance deals elsewhere.

It is believed a fee of around £25million should be enough, though the deal is unlikely to be confirmed until the FIFA international transfer window opens on the 11th of June.