Dwight McNeil and James Tarkowski react to teammate’s message after Everton deal agreed
Idrissa Gueye’s future at Everton has finally been decided as the overhaul of David Moyes’ squad continues.
Everton went into this summer’s transfer window with up to 13 players on their way out of Goodison Park, as eight players approached the expiry of their contracts and five loanees’ futures looked uncertain.
Carlos Alcaraz became the only Toffees loanee to join the club permanently after Everton paid £15million to sign him permanently from Flamengo, and Moyes has since made decisions on his players’ contracts.
Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic, Joao Virginia and Abdoulaye Doucoure’s departures were all confirmed before the end of last season, and several others have now followed suit such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Gueye addresses Everton fans after contract decision
Football Insider revealed in May that Everton were undecided on the futures of players like Doucoure and Gueye ahead of their contracts expiring, only for Doucoure to announce his exit later that month.
Gueye’s situation remained under scrutiny after Everton opened last-ditch contract talks with both the Senegal midfielder and Michael Keane, and those talks came to an end after 30 June came and went.
After Keane’s new contract with the club was announce on 4 July, Everton confirmed that Gueye had triggered an optional extension in his deal to stay put for a further year at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
In an Instagram post liked by James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil, Everton released a statement from Gueye which said: “This club is more than just a place to play, it’s part of who I am.
“Everyone knows what Everton means to me and my family. I’m proud to start my seventh year as a Blue. Last season was a strong one for me personally and I feel ready, fresh and more driven than ever to keep pushing.
“With our beautiful new stadium and a real sense of momentum throughout the Club, this season feels like a turning point, the chance to build something big and lasting.
“We’ve got the foundations. Now it’s up to us: player, staff, the manager, the board, and most importantly, our fans, to come together so we can raise the bar against and take Everton back to where it belongs.”
Time for Everton to capitalise on new contracts
Football Insider Verdict
Of the Toffees’ eight out-of-contract first-teamers, only Gueye, Keane and captain Seamus Coleman will stay put for next season in Everton’s new home as Moyes continues to rebuild and reshape the club.
Jarrad Branthwaite penning a new long-term deal is also a massive boost for Everton’s future prospects, but the Blues’ incoming transfer business is yet to ignite after Alcaraz’s permanent signing was sealed.
Thierno Barry is on his way to Finch Farm as Everton close in on the Villarreal frontman’s signature, but Moyes will know that a lot more is needed to make up for the experience that they’ve lost this summer.