Everton manager Marco Silva has admitted that he is unsure whether the Toffees will be able to sign Andre Gomes on a permanent deal at the end of the season.
Gomes moved to Everton on a season-long loan from Barcelona in the summer, and the midfielder has made seven appearances for the Merseyside club during the 2018-19 campaign.
The Toffees will reportedly attempt to sign the Portugal international on a permanent deal next summer, but Silva has conceded that the 25-year-old's future is 'not in Everton's hands'.
"I think at first, I agree, he is doing very well. But what is most important for me is the team and the squad, I think it is not fair just to talk about Andre," Silva told Sky Sports News.
"If Andre is doing well then he is helping our squad. He is getting better every time, taking his responsibility in the squad is important for me as well.
"But if he is doing well it is because his teammates are helping him since the first day. He's enjoyed his first two months but let's see what we can do. We are working on that, I don't know if I have answer in one week or two weeks.
"It is not something that it is in our hands. The best scenario to look at is - it is not just in our hands as a club, not just in the hands of Andre, there is a third party as well. Barcelona are included, let's see when we can talk about the situation."
Gomes made 78 appearances for Barcelona over the course of two seasons before moving to Everton.
Matt Law
