Idrissa Gana Gueye: Everton re-sign midfielder and buy James Garner from Man Utd
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Idrissa Gana Gueye (right) has made 94 appearances for Senegal, scoring seven goals
Everton have re-signed Idrissa Gueye from Paris St-Germain on a two-year deal for a fee of about £2m.
The Toffees had been in advanced talks over bringing 32-year-old Gueye back to the club since the start of last month.
Fellow midfielder, England Under-21 international James Garner, 21, has also joined Everton from Manchester United for an initial fee of £9m.
Gueye was the reigning players' player of the season at Everton when PSG signed him for about £30m in 2019.
Box-to-box midfielder Garner, whose fee could rise to in the region of £15m with add-ons, becomes the Blues' eighth signing having spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest.
Garner was a key player as Forest reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and returned to the Premier League after a 23-year wait, making 49 appearances and scoring four goals.
"I'm made up to sign for Everton," Garner said. "It's a huge step in my career and I want to help the team get better while progressing as a player.
"The manager [Frank Lampard] has got a real plan for the club and for me. Working with him on a daily basis is major for me. Him and his staff can take me and the team to the next level.
"I feel like I can bring real energy to the team - it is something that Everton definitely demands and I can add that in abundance. I have got quality as well so hopefully I can be a big part of us having a good season."
Gueye makes 'special return'
Having played 108 times for the club between 2016 and 2019, Gueye said: "There is no better feeling than coming back home.
"I am very happy to be here at Everton again, to help and to work hard - I'll give my soul to this team," he added.
"Coming back here was important to me because I feel like I'm in my home. I've followed the team every week and watched how they play. For me, there is no better place than Everton, so that's why I chose to come back here.
"There is also a great atmosphere at the stadium and everyone here is like a family. I felt very, very good when I was here [the first time] and even when I went to Paris, I kept in touch with some of the players and continued to support the team.
"For me, it's special. I told PSG if I am going to leave, it will be for one team — and that was Everton."
Gueye scored seven goals in 111 games for PSG, winning both Ligue 1 and the French Cup twice and helping them reach the 2020 Champions League final.
In May, he refused to play in a match to avoid wearing a rainbow symbol in support of LGBTQ+ rights.
Everton manager Frank Lampard added: "We are delighted to add a player of Idrissa's quality and experience to the squad. We have been eager to strengthen our midfield options and his attributes will undoubtedly benefit the squad.
"Idrissa has played at the highest level of football. Evertonians know all about his tireless work-rate and the value he brings to a team, and we are looking forward to him bringing all of that now he's back at the club."
Meanwhile, Portugal midfielder Andre Gomes, who is yet to feature for Everton this season has agreed to join French club Lille on loan for the remainder of the season.
'A smart move' - analysis
Ian Kennedy - BBC Radio Merseyside
Bringing Idrissa Gana Gueye back to Goodison Park is a smart move by Everton. Yes he's into his 30's now but it doesn't seem to matter these days. His style of midfield play is something Everton have needed - he can put his foot in, he can press, break things up and get things moving. That was the hallmark of his time at the club between 2016-19. Fans were sorry to see him go and he'll certainly be welcomed back.
And that's another good thing about this move. He knows the place, he knows the fans. He understands the club, and his settling-in period should be very short as a result.
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