Everton risking 'upsetting fanbase' with £35m star at Goodison Park

Everton winger Anthony Gordon is a player that the club cannot ‘afford to let go at any cost’ this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Toffees have finally started to enjoy some success in the transfer window following a slow start but losing the talented 21-year-old could potentially undo their hard work.

So far, Everton have offloaded Richarlison in a £60 million deal to Tottenham Hotspur, using the proceeds of his departure to strengthen several areas around the pitch.

James Tarkowski and Conor Coady have bolstered Frank Lampard’s options at centre-back, Ruben Vinagre will provide cover at left-back, Amadou Onana has strengthened the centre of midfield while Dwight McNeil has replaced Richarlison out wide.

However, Sky Sports revealed last month that Newcastle United had made ‘initial contact’ with Everton over Gordon after identifying him as a transfer target.

The Magpies ‘did not make a bid’ for the England Under-21 international, though, with the approach described as a ‘tentative enquiry’ as they weighed up their options.

Everton are determined to keep hold of Gordon and reportedly made it clear that it was very unlikely that a deal for the academy graduate, who is valued at around £35 million, could progress.

Owner Farhad Moshiri is largely unpopular in the blue half of Merseyside due to Everton’s questionable spending in the transfer market throughout his reign, and Jones doesn’t believe he can afford to let Gordon depart.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “Gordon isn’t really someone that Everton can afford to let go at any cost at the moment.

“They can’t afford upsetting their fanbase any more than they already have in recent times, so I personally don’t think that transfer will come too