Everton have confirmed the permanent transfer of Idrissa Gana Gueye to Paris Saint-Germain for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £30million.
The Senegalese midfielder was hosted at the Ligue 1 outfit’s facilities on Monday to carry out his obligatory medical, and put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Parc des Princes natives six months after they failed to acquire his signature.
Gueye becomes Everton’s eighth senior player to leave Merseyside this summer, and returns to France four years after his move to England to join Aston Villa from LOSC Lille.
Everton chiefs are now tasked with finding an adequate replacement for the 29-year-old, who featured in 108 games for the Blues during his three-year stay at Goodison Park.
Players like Southampton’s Mario Lemina, Olympique Lyonnais’ Lucas Tousart, OGC Nice’s Adrien Tameze and Chelsea’s Tiemoue Bakayoko have emerged as potential candidates, although 1.FSV Mainz 05’s Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Celta Vigo’s Stanislav Lobotka are believed to be the club’s priority targets.
Toffees supporters reacting to news of Gueye’s exit, which contractually ties the 63-cap international to PSG until after his 34th birthday, have been sharing their gratitude for his efforts in Royal Blue, with some noting that he took his game up a level after seeing a move to Ligue 1 blocked in January.
It has long been a dream of Gueye’s to return to France and compete in the Champions League, and revealed in February: “It is a dream that sadly did not come true.
“Every player works to join the best teams, to play in matches in the Champions League. But I was honoured that PSG were interested in me.
“Now, I know that I am of interest to these types of clubs, I am ready to go to the final level to join a top European club. I am going to work even more so that they come back to me. Maybe it is not finished with PSG.”
Here’s how these Everton fans reacted to Gueye joining PSG for a reported £30million…
Actually devastated but hope everything goes great for him! Amazing player and great professionalism especially when denied a move to his dream club previously he just got better and better which many players would have sulked! Best of luck Gana!????
— Keenan Latham (@KeenanLatham) July 30, 2019
What a player
— JJ (@jjisblue) July 30, 2019
C’mon why sell that midfield phenomenon?
— Jesse Delight Phefo (@JessePhefo) July 30, 2019
its definetely a downgrade,but i think he will be decent
— IRazvannN (@i_razvann) July 30, 2019
all the beat gana. Gave your all since day 1 and particularly since january when you didnt get the move. Go on and get that champions league
— Mike Leslie (@PtkToffee) July 30, 2019
Just get an adequate replacement then all is OK…
— P (@RSA_EFC) July 30, 2019
Absolutely gutted to see you go gana, model professional, always give 100% and maintained professionalism throughout the interest January. Good luck
— colin morris (@colin0306) July 30, 2019
A proper professional who not only didn’t drop off after January’s bid, but went up a level.
Good luck and all the very best @IGanaGueye ????????????????????????????????????— Matt (@africansunset73) July 30, 2019
Fam, I knew it was going to happen but to see the actual tweet breaks my heart. Best of luck to you Gana, you’ve been more than amazing for us, constantly giving 10/10 even when you didn’t get your dream move in January. Thank you for everything, I wish you the best of luck ????
— Aero Kieran (@KingKierxn) July 30, 2019
Good luck gana , 150% every game . Hope you smash the champ league ????????
— My left back is magic (@goodisonblue2) July 30, 2019
Eversham r going into the championship
— Tina (@FanWesthamfan) July 30, 2019
Good luck @IGanaGueye – you’re going to be very difficult to replace…
— GrandOldTeam (@grandoldteam) July 30, 2019