Rene Girard backs Everton midfielder to succeed with PSG

Former Lille boss Rene Girard has backed midfielder Idrissa Gueye to succeed with Paris Saint-Germain. The Senegal international has been in the ranks of Everton for the past three seasons but he is now expected to make the return to Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain, who are set to pay around £28m to secure his signature.

Speaking to Le Parisien, Girard spoke about his association with Gueye at former club Lille while citing that the midfielder has the credentials to succeed with the French champions, he said: “Yes, because even if the team has scavengers, like Verratti, he does not have the same volume of play as Idrissa. I am sure that they will be complementary and that he will quickly find his place. His qualities allow him to play recuperator or runner, or even on one side. He will no doubt often be associated with Marco Verratti, but he can hold a sentry post without any problem. I had done it in Lille. A player like Kanté has raised his level of play as the competition has grown. Idrissa can do all that.”

Gueye was first associated with a move to Parc des Princes during the winter transfer window and Les Parisiens even came up with a late approach. However, the Toffees turned down the advances to the disappointment of the midfielder, considering they did not have sufficient time to pursue a new recruit to place the Senegalese.

Thereafter, Gueye acknowledged that he would prefer the chance to join Les Parisiens at the end of the season and that has apparently come through with him on the cusp of the transfer. Meanwhile, the Toffees may have push for a potential replacement during the final 12 days of the summer transfer window, considering they don’t have a ready-made option within the squad, who can provide the same level of tenacity and workrate as Gueye on the playing field.