Marco Silva says Everton are aiming to sign on-loan Kurt Zouma and Andre Gomes on permanent deals.
The duo have impressed since arriving on Merseyside last summer, and ahead of Everton’s trip to Fulham this weekend Silva says he is keen to extend the pair’s stay at Goodison Park.
“There is always a chance but it is not just in our hands,” Silva told a press conference on Thursday.
“They are happy here, that is a good sign. That means they are performing, they are enjoying, they are helping us also.
“We are happy with them, that is true, and it is up to us to do what we shall do to try and keep them.
“It is not just in our hands, the players and their clubs have to decide together.
“At the right moment we will do something.”
Chelsea defender Zouma has formed part of a defence which has kept five clean sheets in their past six games, with the Frenchman contributing to a new-found solidity to Silva’s side.
Acquiring the 24-year-old on a permanent basis may be complicated by Chelsea’s impending transfer ban, with the West London side potentially recalling several of their on-loan players to the first-team squad next season.
Gomes signed on-loan having been deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelona, with the Portuguese international having shone since arriving in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old signed for the Spanish giants in a deal worth around £33m in 2016, with the La Liga club likely to want to recoup the majority of that fee.
Gomes’ form has attracted interest from elsewhere, with Tottenham reportedly keen, and Everton are likely to face competition to secure the midfielder on a permanent basis.