Everton eye 23yo Tottenham midfielder as Idrissa Gueye Replacement

Increased Competition in Tottenham’s Midfield

Sarr finds himself at a pivotal junction in his North London career following significant squad rotation and new midfield arrivals under head coach Roberto De Zerbi. The big-money signings of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes have intensified competition for starting spots in Spurs’ double pivot, alongside existing options like Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Archie Gray.

Although Sarr signed a long-term contract extension tying him to Tottenham until 2030, his starting opportunities were limited during the 2025–26 season, starting just 13 Premier League matches. While he recently returned to action with a goal assist in Tottenham’s 2-2 pre-season draw against TSG Hoffenheim, Spurs’ willingness to entertain a £21 million offer reflects a readiness to streamline their squad and generate funds for ongoing attacking targets.

Everton are not alone in tracking the versatile Senegalese midfielder. A host of European and international clubs have registered interest in Sarr, including Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest, Brentford, and Aston Villa, as well as Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray and Saudi side Al-Ahli.

For Everton, securing Sarr would offer a dynamic box-to-box presence capable of replicating Gueye’s defensive tenacity and ball-winning coverage. Sarr would also join international teammate Iliman Ndiaye on Merseyside. With multiple clubs monitoring his situation, Everton will need to decide whether to meet Tottenham’s £21 million threshold before deadline day to beat out competing interest.