Goodison Park star jumps off Everton midfield carousel to join French outfit Lille on loan

Andre Gomes has joined French side Lille on a season-long loan after failing to earn a starting spot at Everton under Frank Lampard.

The 29-year-old’s switch was confirmed late on deadline day after the Toffees had snapped up two additions to Lampard’s engine room, as the Goodison Park chief continues to revamp his squad.

Gomes has not featured in any of Everton’s opening five games of the season and was clearly not in Lampard’s plans.

The Portugal international moved to Merseyside from Barcelona in 2019 after an initial loan spell.

His Everton spell was marred, however, by an horrific leg injury suffered against Tottenham later that year.

Gomes‘ last appearance for the club was in the comeback win over Crystal Palace back in May. He actually started that game but was hauled off with Everton 2-0 down at the time.

The experienced midfielder’s time at Goodison appeared to be numbered following the arrival of Amadou Onana. However, the double deal for James Garner and Idrissa Gana Gueye was the final straw that allowed him to leave on loan.

He follows Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Dele Alli and Niels Nkounkou in also exiting the club on loan.

Double deal allows Gomes to head out on loan

Meanwhile, Idrissa Gana Gueye could not his his delight after sealing his return to Merseyside.

Gueye originally joined Everton from Premier League rivals Aston Villa in 2016. He went on to make 108 appearances for the Toffees, scoring four goals, before leaving for PSG in 2019.

However, he has penned a two-year deal to return to Goodison and is thrilled with the move.

He said: “There is no better feeling than coming back home. I am very happy to be here at Everton again, to help and to work hard. I’ll give my soul to this team.

“Coming back here was important to me because I feel like I’m in my home. I’ve followed the team every week and watched how they play. For me, there is no better place than Everton, so that’s why I chose to come back here.

“There is also a great atmosphere at the stadium and everyone here is like a family. I felt very, very good when I was here [the first time] and even when I went to Paris, I kept in touch with some of the players here and continued to support the team.

“For me, it’s special. I told PSG if I am going to leave it will be for one team — and that was Everton.

“It was not a difficult decision for me because I love this club. That’s why I had to come home. It’s a pleasure for me to be back and hopefully we will have a good season because we have to go and try to achieve our goals.”