Everton boss: Idrissa Gueye will put aside disappointment

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Feb 02, 2019. 13:00

Everton manager Marco Silva insists that Idrissa Gueye will put aside the disappointment of not moving to Paris Saint-Germain and focus on his job with the Toffees.

The French champions pushed strongly to try and sign Gueye before the close of the transfer window on Thursday night, but Everton rejected an improved offer of £26.2m – this despite the Senegalese handing in a transfer request earlier in the week to try and force through a deal.

Silva said he understood Gueye's desire to play in the Champions League, but believes remaining at Everton also presents exciting possibilities.

"I know Idrissa very well, he is a good professional and a fantastic boy," Silva said. "He really likes our club, he is enjoying playing in our club.

"When a club like PSG comes in it is normal he starts to think about his future but now he has stopped, the market is closed and I don't have doubts we will see the best Idrissa Gana again.

"You can use the word disappointed and of course it was a good opportunity for him, but it is a fantastic opportunity for him to stay with us also."

The Everton manager went on to reveal that he was not aware of how close or not Gueye was to a move.

Silva said: "From the feedback I had with the board, they never told me the deal will be done or not, they didn't tell me it was close, and they never told me we need to prepare to replace Gana.

"I think with this information you can take your conclusion."