Everton agree £28m deal for Pape Gueye after Villarreal breakthrough

Everton have reached an agreement in principle with Villarreal to sign midfielder Pape Gueye in a deal worth £24 million plus a further £4 million in add-ons, FootballPlace understands.

The proposed package includes performance-related bonuses, with part of the additional fee linked to Everton qualifying for the Champions League. While personal terms and a medical still need to be completed, the agreement represents Everton's biggest breakthrough yet in their pursuit of the Senegal international.

If finalised, Gueye would become the Toffees' fourth signing of the summer.

Everton have beaten significant competition to reach an agreement with Villarreal.

Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Sunderland all monitored Gueye during the transfer window, but Everton accelerated negotiations following the midfielder's impressive performances at the World Cup.

The 27-year-old enjoyed another productive campaign in Spain, registering seven goal involvements in 39 appearances while establishing himself as one of Villarreal's most consistent midfielders.

Everton's recruitment team stepped up talks in recent weeks, with discussions now progressing to the final stages.

Gueye is expected to fill the void left by Idrissa Gana Gueye, who departed the club as a free agent earlier this summer.

Comfortable operating as a defensive midfielder or in a box-to-box role, the Senegal international brings the physicality, work rate and experience Everton have been seeking as they reshape their midfield.

His arrival would continue an active summer at the Hill Dickinson Stadium following the permanent signings of Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George and Merlin Röhl.

At 27, Gueye also offers valuable experience alongside Everton's younger recruits, giving David Moyes another proven option in the centre of the pitch.

Although the clubs have reached an agreement, the transfer has not yet been finalised.

Personal terms still need to be agreed and Gueye must also complete a medical before the move can be officially confirmed.

Until those final steps are completed, the transfer should be regarded as an agreement in principle rather than a completed signing. Nevertheless, Everton are now in a strong position to secure one of their priority midfield targets.

Everton will now focus on agreeing personal terms with Gueye before arranging his medical. If those final formalities are completed without issue, the Senegal international is expected to become the club's fourth signing of the summer and strengthen David Moyes' midfield ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

Will Pape Gueye prove to be Everton's most important signing of the summer, or do the Toffees still need further reinforcements in midfield?