Everton can target seventh after getting tough over potential Gueye exit

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Everton have insisted that combative midfielder Idrissa Gueye is not for sale during the current transfer window, as per Sky Sports.

They report that French champions Paris Saint Germain had been sniffing around the former Aston Villa man, but Everton have now issued a hands-off warning.

PSG can reportedly only afford to offer £26m for Gueye’s services due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, which combined with Everton’s tough stance, has seen them pursue alternatives.

Among those is Zenit St Petersburg’s Leandro Paredes – who is also reportedly of interest to Chelsea, as they look to replace Cesc Fabregas at the heart of their midfield.

And the Telegraph report that PSG are set to beat the Blues to land Paredes, meaning that Maurizio Sarri’s loss could well be Everton’s gain over Gueye.

Gueye’s proactive ball-winning is so important to an Everton side that can still look a little exposed at the back at times, and they would have to forget all hopes of finishing seventh if they lost him this month.

But now that the saga appears to be approaching an end, Marco Silva’s men can kick on and become the ‘best of the rest’ in the Premier League, which would represent an impressive maiden Goodison Park campaign for the former Watford manager.