Sky Sports pundit tips Everton to sign new striker and still bank £20m if Anthony Gordon leaves
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
There is “no chance” that Everton work a deal for a straight swap between Anthony Gordon and Armando Broja, according to Kevin Campbell.
The Toffees value their homegrown star at £50million, and there is growing concern that he could go to Chelsea as the Stamford Bridge side big big money, which raises the prospect of demanding the man at the top of Frank Lampard’s list of striker targets in return.
The Albanian forward has been valued at the same level as Gordon [90min], but Sky Sports pundit Campbell thinks he is overpriced and has ruled out a swap, instead suggesting that if the winger leaves the club for a major fee they can sign an alternative goalscorer and still have a big chunk left over.
On the prospect of leveraging Gordon for the Chelsea striker he said, speaking exclusively to Goodison News: “I’m not sure. I know Everton have been linked with Broja. Looked a good player.
“But Broja at £50million? I just can’t see that. I just can’t see that.
“Everton have got different targets as well, it’s not just Broja who they’re looking at.
“Maybe to get the money in and make some moves elsewhere, you might be able to keep some.
“If you got £45-£50million for Anthony Gordon you might be able to retain £15-£20million.
“You just never know, so it just depends on what the appetite was to try and get a striker in, and at what rate, what price you’re going to pay.
“I don’t see a straight swap with Broja going on, no chance.”
Everton certainly need a striker, but there is unlikely to be a return for Gordon if he leaves that will feel like a win.
Broja and extra cash might just do it, but losing the team’s current main attacking threat to bring in a promising but semi-proven striker, and little time in the window to actually replace the wide man seems like two steps backward for one step forward.
But if Gordon isn’t going to sign a new contract then this may be when he is worth the most to a team who can’t ignore the prospect of a big payment, so the negotiating skills at the club are going to be put to the test to get to the close of the window with a positive outcome.