Overview
- Everton confirmed on Friday that 36-year-old Idrissa Gana Gueye has left the club after his contract expired at the end of June and the club issued public tributes.
- Multiple outlets say Gueye is expected to sign for Saudi Pro League side Al‑Diriyah after negotiations with Everton failed to secure an extension.
- Contract talks were complicated by an optional one-year clause, a late-season ankle injury that ended his campaign, and his focus on the 2026 World Cup, during which he became a free agent.
- Gueye made 236 appearances across two spells at Everton, won club player awards and previously claimed domestic honours with Paris Saint-Germain, and David Moyes praised his leadership and professionalism.
- Everton now face a clear squad task with roughly four weeks before the Premier League starts: decide whether to promote internal options such as James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall or recruit a specialist defensive midfielder.