Report: Everton will now only sign ‘top, top’ player if they sell Anthony Gordon this summer

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Everton’s pursuit of free agent England international Jesse Lingard now depends on Anthony Gordon’s future at the club.

The Daily Mail report that the futures of the two Englishmen are now linked, with the club trying to balance the books.

They say that Everton want to tie down Gordon amid interest from Newcastle United, as he represents the future at the club.

The Toffees have already lost Richarlison this summer, so losing Gordon as well would be a major blow to Frank Lampard’s ambitions.

Everton attempts for Lingard depend on Gordon

It might have been thought that Everton’s attempts to sign Lingard on a free transfer were trying to replace Richarlison.

But it seems that he would only come in if Gordon goes, at which point Toffees fans might start to be really concerned about their season.

That would be a frustrating trade-off; an older, expensive player coming in to replace the brightest recent academy graduate.

Lingard had a season of stagnation last time around, but his loan spell at West Ham the term before caught the eye of former Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes.

“If you see Jesse, I think Jesse, at the moment, if you watch the last 10 games, has been top, top, top level,” he told United’s club website.

“For me, if you watch the last 10 games, he’s been the best player in the Premier League, scoring and assists in every game.”