Everton are set to lose four senior players at the end of the season.
As David Moyes and The Friedkin Group prepare to move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, it has been confirmed that the Toffees will be parting ways with Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Seamus Coleman are also approaching the end of their deals at the end of the season, leaving plenty of decisions to be made by Moyes.
Everton axe senior pair as contract conditions revealed
Moyes has turned his Everton side around completely since his return to Goodison Park earlier in the season, but the Scotsman will be eager to build upon that next season.
With the Toffees finally able to bring some new faces in during the transfer window, this is set to be a summer of change for Everton.
Moyes has made no secret of his desire to refresh his playing squad, too, with younger blood needed to up the tempo within the team.
Although the boss is prepared to keep some of the senior players in the side, with several contracts coming to an end, it’s also been shown that Everton are ready to axe people too with the departures already announced on Merseyside.
Although it had previously been reported that contract negotiations were underway with Doucoure and Young, as Everton prepared to strike new deals, seemingly, those talks did not progress in the desired way, leading to exits.
According to the iPaper (22 May), negotiations broke down as a result of the contract conditions on the table.
The report states that both Doucoure and Young were asked to take pay cuts in order to remain at Everton next season, but instead, the pair rejected this and chose to move on this summer.
Everton have to look forward under Moyes
Doucoure and Young are two players who have continued to give their best for Everton, throughout some difficult periods.
PlayerAppearancesGoalsAssistsDoucoure3232Young3113The senior pair have continued to perform for Everton.
Although they are more senior members of the squad, the pair have continued to show that they are able to play regularly, with fitness not a big worry.
However, you can understand why they were asked to take pay cuts, given they would be more likely to be squad players if Moyes can bring in the necessary reinforcements for next season.
Both players deserve to be sent off with well wishes from the supporters, but this decision should be seen as a sign of Everton raising their ambitions and looking forward to more successful times on the pitch.
