Chelsea transfer rumors: Anthony Gordon and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang aren't the answers for Thomas Tuchel

Chelsea's exuberant summer of spending has them chasing yet more forwards

The idea that a player's transfer fee may be indicative of their qualities has long since been disproven in an era where youth often seems to be the most prized asset in the market. And yet there remain deals that can only be greeted with the raising of eyebrows and furrowing of brows. For most, Anthony Gordon's prospective move to Chelsea is firmly in that category.

Gordon looked a player of promise last season, a young forward who blended prodigious hard work off the ball with an ability to draw fouls off defenders with his encouraging forward running. Though, his end product was nowhere near that of the Premier League's best young forwards. In 35 games last season he scored four times and provided two assists, while his combined expected goals (xG) and expected assists (xA) of 0.31 per 90 minutes is about half of what the best English prospects were delivering from his position last season. But, given time, it was fair to project Gordon as a useful player for a team in Everton's position.

What he does not look like, on the evidence of last season, is an international superstar in the making. And yet that is how he is being valued by both sides. Everton, who have refused to deny publicly or privately that Gordon has made a transfer request, have already rejected a £45million bid for the 21 year old and yet may feel they have played their hand exquisitely with the Blues said to be willing to return with a £60m offer. Those who know Goodison Park speak of a lingering fear that this could be a sale in the mold of Wayne Rooney, who joined Manchester United in 2004 for a then stunning £27m.