Chelsea are prepared to up their offer for Everton’s Anthony Gordon to £45m.
Everton have already rebuffed one £40m approach for Gordon from Chelsea, who remain determined to test the Toffees’ resolve to hang onto their academy product.
Everton have fended off interest in Gordon, 21, from Tottenham and Newcastle this summer but are now facing a fresh threat from big-spending Chelsea.
And the Londoners’ interest in prising Gordon away this summer has handed Everton a dilemma.
Gordon has two years left on his current deal and does not wish to sign a new one making this window Everton’s best hope of securing a market value fee for the winger before his price begins to fall as he moves closer towards the end of his contract.
Everton are thought to want in excess of £50m for Gordon.
Gordon is keen to make the move to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea able to offer Champions League football and the winger a platform to boost his England hopes.
Gordon has played seven times for England’s under-21s after breaking into the Young Lions setup last season.
Chelsea have signed five players so far this summer but former Leeds winger Raphinha was one they have missed out on and they remain in the market for attacking reinforcements, including out wide.
The versatile Gordon has also been used as a false nine by Everton this season and could solve Chelsea’s search for a right-sided option to compete with Reece James.
While Chelsea want Gordon, Everton are interested in three Stamford Bridge youngsters, midfield duo Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour plus striker Armando Broja.
