Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour is said to be ‘keen’ on joining former boss Frank Lampard at Everton this summer.
This comes after the Scotland international left Chelsea’s first-team pre-season squad in the United States to join up with the development side.
Speaking on the decision, which saw Gilmour, Harvey Vale and Tino Anjorin drop out of the squad, Tuchel said: "We know the players very well. We know Tino pretty well, Billy Gilmour pretty well, and Harvey Vale because he trained with us last season.
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"The decisions (on Gilmour, Anjorin and Vale) we took, I didn't like them to be honest because all the players deserved to stay here. All of the players deserved to stay here and play here.”
Anjorin has since re-joined Huddersfield Town on loan, where he spent the second half of last season.
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It appears that Gilmour could soon follow him out of the door at Stamford Bridge, with Everton previously linked with a move.
According to talkSPORT, former Chelsea boss Lampard is ready to step up his interest in Gilmour this summer.
Transfer funds on Merseyside are said to be short, with Lampard now being given the green light from the Everton board to explore a loan move for Gilmour.
The English manager handed Gilmour his Chelsea debut and put his faith in the youngster during their time together.
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It looks like they could be reunited as Everton look set to battle against relegation in the Premier League once more, only adding James Tarkowski to their squad from last season as Gilmour is keen on the move.
Recent reports stated that Gilmour was set to hold talks with Tuchel over his future this summer, with the 21-year-old looking for game time following a loan spell at Norwich City last season.
“I’m a confident player,” responded Gilmour, when asked by The Telegraph if his Norwich spell would put him off going out on loan again.
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“I’m back at Chelsea working hard in pre-season and then see what happens at the end.
"I’ve not had any conversation (with the manager) yet.
"I just need to wait and see when he speaks to me.”
It remains to be seen as to whether Everton will make a move for the midfielder, who looks set to depart once more this summer.
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Conor Gallagher has leapfrogged him in the pecking order at Chelsea, with the former Crystal Palace loanee set to fight for his place in Tuchel’s squad ahead of the new season.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, Everton, Transfers, Premier League, Football