As contract talks stall and the Toffees hunt for fresh midfield reinforcements, the veteran Senegalese international appears destined to end his second stint at Goodison Park.
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Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye is out of contract in the coming days, and a decision on his future now feels inevitable.
Gueye has been a key figure for Everton in the middle of the park for many years now across two different spells at the club. Everton initially failed to replace him when he left for Paris Saint-Germain and eventually brought him back to the club in a full-circle moment.
At the age of 36, Gueye was still a key feature for the Toffees last season, regularly partnering James Garner in midfield. The Senegalese international still has plenty of energy in his legs, as seen at the World Cup with his country, starting every game in the group stage.
Everton confirmed earlier this month that they were in talks over extending Gueye's contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with it due to expire at the end of June.
As we edge closer to the end of the month, we're still yet to hear a definitive decision.
Gueye decision feels inevitable
Despite not hearing anything from the club or Gueye himself, the decision now feels inevitable after recent reports.
Everton are currently being linked with a host of different midfielders, with multiple reliable reporters confirming our interest in different players.
The first link was Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, with Everton seeing bids rejected for the Championship star.
The Toffees have also been linked with a move to sign Parma midfielder Mandela Keita, with Sky Sports confirming our interest and our eagerness to sign a number six.
Reports in Spain have suggested that Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye is also a target for the Merseyside club. The Senegalese international is keen on a move to the Premier League.
All of these links to midfielders for me point to Gueye leaving the club in the summer transfer window. I do think Everton need to bring in a midfielder or two this summer, but it's perhaps a surprise to see three names linked so strongly if Gueye was planning on staying.
It does feel like it's potentially the right time for the experienced midfielder to move on and for Everton to head in a new direction.
We will likely find out in the coming days whether Gueye will be staying at the club, but I certainly don't think it's a disaster if he does depart. There's no doubt we need multiple midfielders if he does leave, especially with Tim Iroegbunam linked with an exit.