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Barcelona refused to discuss the possibility of selling Andre Gomes to Everton this summer.

The Blues signed the midfielder on a season-long loan as part of a frantic deadline day in August.

Everton enquired about Gomes' availability when negotiating the transfer of Yerry Mina and were told he could be available on loan.

But when the prospect of signing him permanently was brought up, the Catalan giants refused to even consider the proposal.

Marco Silva says Chelsea were also not interested in selling Kurt Zouma, who also joined Everton on the final day of the window in a short-term deal.

Asked whether Everton would continue to scour the loan market for players in the future, Silva told the ECHO: “First, and most importantly, is if they are good players.

(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

“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.”

On the possibility of staying with Everton beyond the end of the season, Gomes said recently: "We need to discuss that at the end of the season of course with Everton, with Barcelona and see if Everton are happy with me. That is really important."

Zouma, meanwhile, is ineligible to face his parent club Chelsea tomorrow at Stamford Bridge.