Exclusive: Everton work on signing midfielder, clear Idrissa Gueye plan revealed
Everton have no plans to extend Idrissa Gueye’s contract as they accelerate moves to sign a new midfielder in January, sources have exclusively told Football Insider.
The midfielder has started all 11 of the Toffees’ Premier League games so far this term, but his club are prepared to let him walk away for free at the end of his deal next summer.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on Sunday (16 November) that Everton are aware of contact over James Garner from both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, with interest quickly mounting in another of their out-of-contract stars.
Both Garner and Gueye have been fixtures of David Moyes’ midfield so far this term, but there is huge uncertainty surrounding both of their long-term futures.
Everton will look at permanent and loan midfield options in January
Football Insider recently revealed that Everton have Scott McTominay in their sights ahead of the upcoming winter window, and that serves as a timely link, given the latest update on Gueye.
McTominay has become a key player for both Napoli and Scotland since he left Manchester United back in 2024, and Moyes and Co. are now trying to lure him to Merseyside in January.
The Toffees are set to cast their net far and wide when it comes to midfield options amid their current stance on Gueye’s future.
Sources suggest that both permanent and loan deals will be explored to strengthen the ranks in the middle of the park at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Idrissa Gueye could miss at least six Premier League games in January
Gueye has starred for Everton again so far this season, and they are heavily reliant on the veteran when it comes to breaking up play in the centre of midfield.
However, they will likely have to live without him for a crucial spell across the festive period and the new year, as he is set to head off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
| Date | Opponent | H/A |
| 20 December | Arsenal | H |
| 27 December | Burnley | A |
| 30 December | Nottingham Forest | A |
| 4 January | Brentford | H |
| 7 January | Wolves | H |
| 18 January | Aston Villa | A |
The former PSG star is an experienced campaigner at international level with 92 senior caps for his country, and he will be hoping to guide them to the latter stages of the tournament, which runs from 21 December until 18 January.
It is inevitable that Gueye will miss Premier League games for his club throughout that period, and he will potentially be absent for as many as six matches while he is away with his country.
That only heightens the need for Everton to add to their midfield group, regardless of his current contract situation.