Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye is out of contract at the end of the season.
Idrissa Gana Gueye is one of six Everton players entering the final months of their deals, so preparation will already be underway for identifying replacements.
Gueye has been showing signs of slowing down in recent weeks, which is natural for a midfielder turning 37 later this year.
Does Gueye need to be dropped? 🤔
Idrissa Gana Gueye.
So, if Gueye does end up leaving as a free agent, and David Moyes decides against offering him a new deal, here are three players they should target.
Hayden Hackney – Middlesbrough
Hayden Hackney has been one of Middlesbrough’s best players this season as they top the table in the Championship.
Should Everton be making a summer move for Hayden Hackney at a reported £30m?
Perhaps he'd be a good long-term successor to Idrissa Gana Gueye… 🤔
A custom graphic showing the reported asking price of Hayden Hackney.
Credit: Photo by Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Boro midfielder is a lot cuter on the ball than Gueye, so he would be a good replacement if Moyes wants to gear towards a more possession-based outfit next season.
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Everton have been linked with a £30m move for Hackney ahead of the summer transfer window, so it’s certainly a deal to keep an eye on.
Wilfred Ndidi – Besiktas
Wilfred Ndidi would be a really solid option for Everton, as he already has bags of Premier League experience under his belt.
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Everton's Tyrique George on the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Ndidi made 220 Premier League appearances during his time at Leicester City, who he left last summer for Besiktas.
It has been reported that Ndidi is ready to return to England as he’s eager to leave Turkey.
Raphael Onyedika – Club Brugge
Everton were actually leading the race to sign Raphael Onyedika last summer, but that move failed to materialise.
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Everton manager David Moyes on Europe.
Onyedika ended up staying put at Club Brugge, so it wouldn’t at all be surprising if the Toffees reignite their interest at the end of the season.
The 24-year-old has amassed 23 Champions League appearances throughout his career, so he would bring much-needed European experience, if indeed Everton do finish in the top seven this term.
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