Everton’s Gueye Contract Uncertainty Threatens Midfield

Behind Gueye’s Season and Free‑Agent Status

The 36‑year‑old missed the final weeks of the campaign with a long‑term injury, yet he still logged **660 minutes** at the Africa Cup of Nations – more than all but two outfield players in that tournament. He returned to Everton for the restart and **featured in 25 games**, starting every one of those matches across all competitions. Gueye also anchored Senegal’s midfield, appearing in **all four World Cup matches** and accumulating **364 minutes** of action. After that stretch, he has been absent from Everton’s training ground for roughly a week, leaving fans and staff guessing about his immediate future.

His contract expired on **July 1**, and although the club confirmed talks in June about possibly extending his deal, no official decision has been announced. The prevailing narrative over recent weeks suggested he would leave the Toffees, but whispers have emerged in the last few days that he could still stay. Everton cannot afford this ambiguity to dictate their summer planning, especially with the midfield needing reinforcement. The uncertainty also puts pressure on the board to act quickly, regardless of whether Gueye returns or not.

Everton’s Midfield Holes and Incoming Options

Hayden Hackney, a 24‑year‑old box‑to‑box midfielder, has already signed, offering extra possession but not the holding‑midfielder profile the Toffees desperately need. Even if Gueye remains, the club still faces a **budget and squad‑space conundrum** to accommodate a genuine number‑six. A defensive midfielder is viewed as the priority to shore up the back four and provide a pivot in the engine room. Without that addition, the current options—Gueye, James Garner, Hackney, Harrison Armstrong, Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall and Merlin Röhl—might fall short of the required balance.

Everton are reportedly open to moving on **Tim Iroegbunam** and **Carlos Alcaraz**, which could free up a League‑One‑level fee and allow other incomings. If Gueye stays, the club still has a crowded central‑midfield picture, with **Röhl** having shown he deserves more minutes, preferably in a central role rather than on the wing. Armstrong’s lack of regular game time suggests a loan move might be necessary, though that would introduce its own complications. None of these players, however, solve the core problem of a missing defensive anchor.

What the Club Must Do Next

Everton should press Gueye for a definitive answer soon, because a prolonged stalemate could derail loan deals for players like Armstrong and force the club to retain squad members they might otherwise sell. Securing a quality defensive midfielder as soon as possible must stay the top priority; once that is settled, the club can make swift decisions on the remaining midfielders. If Gueye does stay, the focus should shift to releasing excess payroll and creating room for a new holding‑midfield presence. Acting decisively will prevent the summer window from slipping away and keep the Toffees competitive for the next campaign.