Everton have rejected an opening bid of £40m from Chelsea for Anthony Gordon.
Chelsea are discussing whether to improve their initial bid for the 21-year-old as the west Londoners continue their summer spending under new owner Todd Boehly.
Everton have insisted that Gordon is not for sale amid interest from several Premier League clubs, with both Tottenham and Newcastle having seen approaches turned down during the current window.
The winger impressed during a breakthrough season at Everton last term and the Times are reporting that Chelsea view Gordon as a development signing, following the arrivals of teenagers Carney Chukwuemeka and Gabriel Slonina.
Chelsea are discussing internally of new proposal for Anthony Gordon as opening bid worth £40m has been rejected by Everton today. 🚨🔵 #CFC
Chelsea could try to include players in the deal as Frank Lampard wanted more than one CFC player this summer. pic.twitter.com/ntszwCnmBU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2022
Chelsea could include players in part-exchange as part of a deal to sign Gordon, though Everton have ruled out bringing Ross Barkley back to the club from Stamford Bridge. The Toffees have, however, expressed interest in signing Armando Broja and Michy Batshuayi this summer.
Chelsea have already spent more than £170m since the takeover fronted by Boehly, but are set to continue their summer spree with further additions.
The Blues also remain in pursuit of a deal to sign Wesley Fofana from Leicester, having seen two offers rejected for the defender. The latest proposal is believed to have been in excess of £70m, with the Foxes valuing Fofana at more than the world-record sum that took Harry Maguire from the King Power Stadium to Manchester United in 2019.
