Everton have confirmed the release of six senior players whose contracts are expiring at the end of the month. The Toffees have also named four players who senior figures at the club are still in talks with over extending their stays, with two of them offered contract extensions.
Manager David Moyes returned to Merseyside in January for his second spell in charge, and results improved dramatically over the second part of the season. With faith in the manager, a new stadium to move into, and the cleanest bill of financial health the club has enjoyed in years, the squad is set to be transformed this summer.
For new faces to come in, existing ones will have to make way. Among those heading for the exits are Abdoulaye Doucoure, who played more Premier League minutes than all bar four Everton players last term, and Ashley Young, who was also a regular fixture.
A club statement read: "Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ashley Young, Joao Virginia, Asmir Begovic, Mason Holgate and Neal Maupay will leave Everton when their current contracts expire at the end of this month."
Four other first-team stars are out of contract this month, but efforts are underway to convince them to stay. The statement continued: "The Club is offering new contracts to Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gana Gueye, while we continue to liaise with representatives of Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with the current deals of all four players expiring at the end of June."
As part of the overhaul, the Tofees have sent four of the five players they took on loan last season back to their parent clubs. The departures of Armando Broja, Jack Harrison, Jesper Lindstrom and Orel Mangala have all been confirmed, with Carlos Alcaraz the only loanee staying put after his £12million option was triggered.
The club rounded off their statement by saying: "Everyone at Everton thanks the departing players for their commitment and service and wishes them all the best for the future."
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