Plymouth in transfer talks to sign Bristol Rovers star with Everton to profit

Plymouth Argyle are in advanced talks to sign Bristo Rovers star Lewis Gibson, who has been offered a new contract at Everton.

Gibson was surprisingly offered new terms by the Toffees after they published their 2022/23 retained list. The 22-year-old however could be about to depart Goodison Park, and leave for a team he faced twice last season, according to reports.

Football Insider claims that the Pilgrims are in 'advanced talks' and are set to beat a number of their EFL rivals to his signature. A breakthrough the deal is set to be close on a full agreemen, and it could be announced in the coming days.

He didn’t make a single competitive appearance for the Merseyside club, despite making a move from Newcastle United that could have been worth up to £6m, had clauses been met. The Durham-born defender spent the last season on loan at Bristol Rovers, who had expressed an interest in re-signing Gibson. An optimistic Joey Barton outlined his plan to sign the centre-back, but admitted he would expect offers from higher-division clubs following his performances. Sean Dyche - Joey Barton’s good friend after the pair worked together at Burnley - would have received a good reference about Gibson from Barton.

As for Rovers, a return to the Memorial Stadium for Gibson was hopeful at best, and even if he had chosen to join them, they would have needed to paid a substantial bit of compensation for him as per FA rules. The Gas have already signed James Wilson this window from Gibson’s prospective new club Plymouth, and have also been linked with a return for Connor Taylor, but that is an ongoing situation, and they will wait to see what Stoke City’s plans are for the League Two promotion winner.

In the last fortnight, Gibson had been in Portugal for a two-week training camp with the Radcliffe Group, which focuses on physiotherapy, wellbeing, and performance. Gibson’s 33 appearances for Rovers last year was the most he had made so far in a single campaign, and he will be hoping to make a better impression in the second tier this time around after being at Reading for the 2020/21 season.