Everton Confirm Gueye Exit as Saudi Move Nears Completion 2026

Key Points

• Everton have officially confirmed that veteran midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye has left the club following the expiration of his contract in June 2026.
• Contract talks between club executives and the player’s representatives ended without agreement, bringing his seven-year tenure on Merseyside to a close.
• The 36-year-old Senegal international is expected to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Diriyah on a one-year deal with an option for a second year.
• Gueye made 236 appearances across two spells at Everton, scoring 10 goals and establishing himself as one of the club’s most influential central midfielders of the modern era.
• Manager David Moyes thanked Gueye for his “dedication, professionalism, and influence on the pitch throughout his two spells at the club”.

Everton FC (Liverpool standard) July 24, 2026 – uk/local/everton/">Everton Football Club has confirmed that midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye has left the club after his contract expired at the end of June 2026 and subsequent talks over a new deal failed to reach an agreement. The 36-year-old, who spent seven seasons on Merseyside across two separate spells, will now seek a new challenge elsewhere, with reports indicating he is set to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Diriyah on a one-year contract with an option for a further year.

How did Everton officially announce Gueye’s departure?

Everton’s official club statement, published on 23 July 2026, read:

“Everton can confirm Idrissa Gana Gueye has left Everton after seven seasons of top-quality service to the Blues. The 36-year-old defensive midfielder’s contract expired at the end of last month and, following discussions with the Club in recent weeks, a decision has been made that Gana will pursue a new challenge elsewhere.”

The statement added that the club thanked him for his service and wished him well for the future.

What did David Moyes say about Gueye leaving?

As reported by BBC Sport, Everton manager David Moyes expressed gratitude for Gueye’s contributions, stating:

“Everyone at Everton is hugely grateful for Gana’s dedication, professionalism, and influence on the pitch throughout his two spells at the club. His leadership qualities in and around the dressing room proved crucial, particularly in our final season at Goodison. His commitment to the club over many years was exceptional.”

Moyes’ comments highlighted the respect the coaching staff held for the veteran midfielder, who was a regular fixture in the squad during both spells.

How many times did Gueye play for Everton across two spells?

According to club records and media reports, Idrissa Gana Gueye initially joined Everton in August 2016 from Aston Villa for a fee of £7.1 million before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 for a fee estimated at around £29 million. He returned to Goodison Park in August 2022 on a two-year deal after three years in France, during which he made 111 appearances for PSG and won two Ligue 1 titles and two French Cups. Across his two periods at Everton, Gueye featured in 236 matches, scoring 10 goals in all competitions, establishing himself as a key defensive midfielder and earning the club’s player of the season award for 2024-25, as well as the players’ player of the season honour on two occasions.

Where is Idrissa Gana Gueye expected to go next?

The Athletic, citing sources with knowledge of the situation, confirmed that contract talks between Everton and Gueye’s representatives ended without agreement and that the player is headed for Saudi Arabia. Toffeeweb reported that the Senegal international is expected to complete a transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al-Diriyah on a one-year contract with an option for a second year. Royal Blue Mersey noted that a lucrative offer from the Middle East contributed to the breakdown in negotiations, with Everton ultimately deciding not to trigger the optional year in his deal.

What was Gueye’s impact during his second spell at Everton?

Foot-Africa reported that during his second stint at Everton, which began in 2022, Gueye made 125 appearances and established himself as a vital presence in midfield. His experience and leadership were particularly valued as Everton navigated a period of transition, including preparations for their inaugural season at a new stadium. As noted in earlier reporting by BBC Sport in July 2025, Gueye had signed a one-year extension through June 2026 with an option for an additional year, expressing at the time that he felt “more motivated than ever to continue advancing”.

What does Gueye’s exit mean for Everton’s midfield?

Gueye’s tenacious tackling skills were still important to Everton last season, and it remains to be seen if Hayden Hackney will be a sufficient replacement in that area of the squad. The departure leaves a gap in defensive midfield that the club will need to address, either through internal promotion or external recruitment.

Background of the development

Idrissa Gana Gueye first joined Everton in 2016 from Aston Villa, quickly becoming a regular in midfield under Ronald Koeman before his 2019 move to PSG. His return in 2022 was framed as a homecoming, with Gueye himself stating: “There is no better feeling than coming back home. I am very happy to be here at Everton again, to help and to work hard.” Over the next four seasons, he accumulated 125 appearances, earned individual accolades, and provided stability in a midfield that saw frequent changes. The expiration of his contract in June 2026 triggered discussions over a potential extension, but with a lucrative offer from Al-Diriyah and the club’s strategic direction, both sides ultimately agreed to part ways.

Prediction: How could Gueye’s exit affect Everton supporters and squad planning?

For Everton supporters, Gueye’s departure marks the end of a seven-year chapter defined by consistency and professionalism, and his absence may be felt in the defensive solidity of midfield. For the squad, the club will need to replace his experience and leadership, particularly as they continue to build around a younger core. For fans and analysts tracking transfer activity, the move underscores the growing influence of Saudi Pro League clubs in attracting experienced Premier League players, a trend that could shape future recruitment strategies for mid-table and rebuilding teams.