Everton are eyeing Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye to strengthen their midfield, with a €40m transfer investment expected.
Gueye, 27, is currently in a waiting situation regarding his future. Villarreal, in fact, needs liquidity and a major sale is necessary to finance its market operations. Gueye represents one of their most valuable assets, which has led to informal talks between the parties. Although Everton have not yet made a concrete offer, their intention to make a significant investment is clear.
Transfermarkt values Gueye at around €40 million, but this price might seem high. An intense negotiation is expected, considering that the player has expressed a desire for a change of scenery. In the past, Manchester United had been interested in him, but those rumors led to nothing concrete. Currently, Gueye is motivated to move to England and is also taking language lessons to facilitate his adjustment.
Everton need a physical player in the middle of the pitch, and Gueye could fill that void, especially alongside James Garner. Statistics in hand, Gueye made 30 appearances in La Liga during the 2025/26 season, scoring five goals from deep positions. His ability to get into the box and move the ball forward quickly places him in the 88th percentile for progressive passes completed in Spain, making him a key part of the Toffees' transitions.
Tactically, Gueye offers great flexibility: he can be deployed alongside Hackney or act as a central playmaker. Either way, he would represent a notable improvement over Tim Iroegbunam and Carlos Alcaraz, who look set to remain on the bench or go on loan again. However, Everton's recruitment team will need to consider finances carefully. Investing the entire €40 million in one lump sum makes no sense for a company that is monitoring its balance sheet. A well-structured negotiation would be the smartest solution for the club.
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