Idrissa Gueye bids farewell to Everton ‘legend’ as another exit confirmed
Everton’s summer of departures is well underway and several high-profile players have already said goodbye at Goodison Park.
David Moyes‘ side beat Southampton 2-0 on Sunday in the last Premier League match at Goodison Park, as they farewelled their home of 133 years before their move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer.
With Goodison set to continue use as Everton Women’s new home from next season onwards, the same can’t be said for many members of a squad which includes five loanees and eight players out of contract.
Of those eight, Everton have already announced the departures of goalkeepers Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic as well as veteran full-back Ashley Young, and the confirmation of further exits has continued.
Gueye sends Everton tribute to ‘legend’ Abdoulaye Doucoure
Everton still have decisions to make on several out-of-contract stars as 30 June approaches, as Football Insider revealed on 11 May that Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure’s futures were in the balance.
Although Gueye looks likely to be offered new terms to potentially stay put on Merseyside, Doucoure’s next move has since been decided after the midfielder confirmed that he will leave Everton this summer.
Doucoure’s emotional wave to the Goodison faithful against Southampton left many Everton fans in no doubt that the 32-year-old had bid farewell, and Gueye said goodbye to his team-mate on Instagram.
In a post on his story (20 May), Gueye had a four-word message for his long-time midfield partner, and referenced Doucoure’s nickname to say: “Doucsi Doucsi the legend”.
Everton exits to continue ahead of transfer overhaul
With Doucoure, Young, Begovic and Virginia’s departures confirmed, Everton will soon decide whether to let Gueye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Michael Keane and Seamus Coleman follow them out of the exit door.
Football Insider revealed last month that Keane will “definitely” be allowed to leave Everton this summer, while Coleman is expected to move into an off-field role after his early substitution against Southampton.
Calvert-Lewin is in the most complex contractual situation after Football Insider revealed that Everton plan to offer their number nine a new deal, but with a new era will come a new-look squad that he could be on the periphery of.