Everton manager Marco Silva has revealed that Barcelona refused to discuss the possibility of selling Andre Gomes during the summer transfer window.
The Toffees swooped on deadline day in August to sign the Portugal international on a season-long loan, reportedly seeing off competition from a few other clubs.
Gomes has been tipped to join the Merseyside outfit on a permanent basis at the end of the campaign, but Silva says that the prospect of landing the 25-year-old beyond the 2018-19 campaign has not previously been an option, which is also the case for Chelsea loanee Kurt Zouma.
Asked if Everton will consider any further loan purchases, Silva is quoted by the Liverpool Echo as saying: "First, and most importantly, is if they are good players.
"If we can buy them in the beginning it is better but you know how the market is. And in that moment their clubs did not want to sell. Barcelona didn't even want to listen about selling Andre and Zouma was the same.
"It was still a good opportunity for us to take them on loan. The market is the market and we have to be aware about everything and all the solutions we can make in our squad. At the end they can come in on loan and it is important than when you have loan players you know them well and their personality and character.
"We are really happy with Andre and Zouma because they can improve and help our squad but also how they have behaved and what good professionals they are."
Gomes, used in Everton's last three matches, has previously admitted that he will wait until next summer before making a decision on his future.
Daniel Lewis
