Chelsea have seen an offer of £32m rejected by Valencia for Portugal international Andre Gomes, "?Sky Sports report.
A separate story from Marca claims that rivals "?Manchester United are now the only team left in the race to sign the creative star, who performed well for Portugal in their 1-1 Euro 2016 draw with Iceland on Tuesday night.
Juventus had been in the running to sign the midfielder too, but having signed Miralem Pjanic from domestic rivals Roma earlier this week, they are no longer interested. The Bianconeri bought the Bosnian for £25m on a five-year contract, and with both players considered similar, the Italian giants are no longer interested in bringing in Gomes.
Reports in Spain had claimed that Jose Mourinho and his team are the only ones left in the race, but the emergence of Chelsea's bid on Wednesday morning appears to prove that isn't the case. Valencia though are rumoured to want just over £50m if they are to sell the midfielder, after he enjoyed an impressive season last term.
Sky Sports have however revealed that Gomes' former club Benfica are due to receive 25 per cent of any transfer fee Valencia receive for the player, after he arrived at the Mestalla only 12 months ago. They claim that Valencia are instead holding out for £42m to ensure they make a handsome profit.
Gomes scored 10 goals and registered 12 assists for Valencia in La Liga last season and is one of the hottest prospects currently plying their trade in the Spanish division.
André Gomes' game by numbers:
100% tackles won
53 passes
4 chances created
3 interceptions
2 shots
1 assist pic.twitter.com/19mzTWCADR
The 22-year-old's hefty fee is unlikely to defer United from making a move for the player with Mourinho reported to have up to £200m to spend to bring United back to the Premier League's summit.
Gomes would fit in well to the Manchester United team with the Red Devils needing a top midfield player who can sit in midfield and also get forward and score goals.
His signing could be a worry for Ander Herrera however, with both playing in similar positions, and with Herrera already struggling for game time at Old Trafford.
"?"?