Pape Gueye: Everton agree deal for Villarreal and Senegal midfielder in £28m move

Everton have reached an agreement in principle to sign Villarreal’s Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye in a deal worth up to €33m (£28m), with only final talks between the clubs standing in the way of the transfer being completed.

The 27-year-old is understood to have agreed personal terms with the Toffees, who have put forward an offer of €28m in guaranteed fees plus a further €5m in performance-related add-ons, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.

If the move is finalised, Gueye would join fellow Senegal internationals Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye at Goodison Park and become a central figure in Everton manager David Moyes’ plans to rebuild his midfield.

From free transfer to record sale

Villarreal signed Pape Gueye on a free transfer from Olympique de Marseille in 2024, but he has quickly developed into one of the key figures at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

In his latest La Liga campaign, Gueye made 30 league appearances, scoring five goals and providing two assists. His performances earned him the award for the best African player in Spain’s top division, underlining his impact in his first full season with the Yellow Submarine.

Gueye further enhanced his reputation at the 2026 World Cup, where he featured prominently for Senegal. His displays on the global stage have significantly boosted his value and prompted renewed interest from clubs across Europe.

Villarreal, who initially hoped to command more than €40m for the player during the winter window, are now prepared to accept what they regard as a realistic proposal while still securing a substantial profit on a player they acquired at no cost.

Premier League ambition drives move

Gueye had attracted interest from several clubs as early as last winter, with Turkish giants Galatasaray among those closely monitoring his situation. However, the midfielder opted to remain in Spain at that time in order to focus on the World Cup with Senegal.

His long-standing desire to test himself in the Premier League has now become a decisive factor. Gueye is believed to view English football as a perfect match for his physical power and technical ability, accelerating negotiations with Everton once the Merseyside club firmed up their interest.

The Toffees, who struggled for consistency and depth in central areas last season, see Gueye as a player capable of transforming their midfield.

‘Ideal signing’ for Moyes’ Everton

For Everton manager David Moyes, Gueye has been identified as an ideal reinforcement: strong in the challenge, aggressive without the ball and able to drive play vertically through midfield.

His arrival is expected to add both physical presence and tactical flexibility, allowing Everton to vary between a more defensive shield in front of the back four and a box-to-box role that supports attacks.

Gueye’s presence alongside experienced compatriot Idrissa Gana Gueye and forward Iliman Ndiaye would give Everton a core of Senegal internationals in the squad, adding familiarity and cohesion in a key area of the pitch.

Villarreal planning for life after Gueye

From Villarreal’s perspective, the sale of Pape Gueye will generate significant funds to reinvest in the squad and address other priorities in the transfer market.

The Spanish club had been braced for strong interest after his breakout season and World Cup performances. While they will lose a player under contract until 30 June 2028 and valued at around €40m on specialist site Transfermarkt, the agreed package still represents a sizeable windfall.

Gueye’s annual salary in Spain is reported to be €1.88m (approximately 1.22bn CFA francs), a figure Everton are expected to improve as part of the personal agreement already reached with the player.

With the operation described as “well advanced”, only the final details between Villarreal and Everton remain before Pape Gueye can complete his move to the Premier League and begin the next phase of his career on Merseyside.