Everton transfer update on exit-linked ‘key assets’ Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gana Gueye before January deadline
Everton are set to hold onto a pair of “key assets” past the close of the January transfer window, according to Graeme Bailey.
Reporting for HITC’s website the journalist said on 30 January that neither Abdoulaye Doucouré or Idrissa Gana Gueye will be leaving Goodison Park before the deadline “sources understand”.
Both the midfielders are subject to interest from the Saudi Pro League, but with the Toffees’ “engine room” seen as a key priority for improvement neither veteran is expected to weaken it this month.
Bailey claims the final 48 hours of the window “promise to be busy” but it looks like Gueye, 34, and Doucouré, 31, will not be part of the activity.
Fellow exit-linked midfielder Amadou Onana’s future is more unclear but the club have reportedly still not received any contact over a deal to sign him this month.
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Although the biggest name in the Everton midfield is clearly Onana there is an argument to say that Doucouré is the most important.
While Sean Dyche’s side is suffering with the Malian currently out injured for a couple of weeks longer [Premier Injuries] it may have worked in their favour for the rest of the season if it has helped stop a major push for his services developing in the transfer market.
The financial situation at the club amid consecutive profit and sustainability referrals by the Premier League was said to have left Everton vulnerable to a Saudi bid, so if that danger has been averted for now his return from injury should be key to the club’s hopes over the last few months of the campaign.
Gueye’s future at Goodison Park isn’t likely to last a huge amount longer given his age but at this stage of the season, with relegation unfortunately once again a concern, Dyche can’t afford to lose options unless it frees up funds to strengthen elsewhere.
And at 34, with a contract that is set to expire in the summer, the Senegal international is not going to generate much of a fee at all.
He is on his way back from the Africa Cup of Nations after the holders were knocked out in the last 16 on penalties to Ivory Coast, and he is sure to be needed between now and May.
Losing Onana is likely more of a threat but with time ticking down towards the deadline without any concrete activity it appears the centre of the Everton line-up could be left unscathed.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are chasing a late-window signing to bring an international attacker back to England.
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