Abdoulaye Doucoure is set to leave Everton this summer after receiving “better offers from elsewhere,” revealed manager David Moyes in his pre-match press conference. The Toffees will take on Newcastle United on the final matchday of the league season.
Everton, having bid goodbye to Goodison Park in an emotionally-charged encounter against Southampton, will travel to St James Park on Sunday.
Speaking to the media at Finch Farm, Moyes talked about Doucoure, whose departure from the club has already been confirmed as his contract runs out this summer.
"We wanted him to stay and made him an offer but he's had a better offer from elsewhere,” Moyes said.
"There are no hard feelings, I've known him from his Watford days and have picked him almost every game. He has been a great servant for the club."
The 32-year-old could make his final appearance for the Blues against Newcastle United on Sunday. He has played 165 matches for Everton after arriving from Watford in 2020 and has scored 21 goals so far.
Besides Doucoure, the club has also confirmed the departures of Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic, and Joao Virginia with their current contracts expiring. Moyes also added that there could be more departures and is expecting another update from the club on Monday.
Reader Comments (13)
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2 Posted 23/05/2025 at 19:10:42
Like most Everton players it's been square pegs in round holes. Let's hope this changes next season – I don't want to see Pickford as a false 9.
3 Posted 23/05/2025 at 21:15:32
It's all about the money.
4 Posted 23/05/2025 at 21:19:31
Don't know what you do but if an alternative employer offered you better money... would you not jump ship?
5 Posted 23/05/2025 at 23:38:41
It makes me laugh when people assume that it's an easy decision to just turn down the deficit of our average annual wage….every week!! Don't blame him and thank him for his service.
6 Posted 24/05/2025 at 00:32:52
7 Posted 24/05/2025 at 00:45:29
It makes me believe we are finally getting some sense back into our dealings...
8 Posted 24/05/2025 at 03:22:08
In most professions, you can expect to earn more doing less actual coal face work as you get older and more experienced.
In football, this is true up into a point. But there is a threshold. Signing a contract at 32, a reasonable chance it will be you last significant one, where the latter stages are highly likely to yield diminishing returns, and expecting more money?
9 Posted 24/05/2025 at 04:46:29
A footballer's career is short as you say. A Premier League footballer can set up a legacy for not just his kids but his grandkids on 1 year's wages.
If Doucoure has better offers than ours, fine — chase the money and enjoy the next 4 or 5 years of his career.
Not many players leave us and have a better career elsewhere.
He knows the financial position we are in, he is our highest earner but wants more money! How much is enough for these players. He also says he loves the club to the tune of £130k a weeks worth of love.
As a player, he is whole hearted workhorse with an eye for a goal. Scored a goal worth £100M and has been an ever present for most managers besides Frank Lampard.
Wish him all the best chasing as much money as possible; after all, 14 years is a short career for a multi-millionaire who has earned £25M from us alone.
10 Posted 24/05/2025 at 08:48:32
Doucoure would still be in France if the money was there.
11 Posted 24/05/2025 at 10:47:42
He's probably gotten multiple offers for money similar to what he's currently earning, and/or with more guarantees about playing time.
In his shoes, why would he accept a reduced role and reduced wages to stay here, if he has other options? I don't think this is as simple as 'chasing the money'. This is as much about Everton needing to get younger and more ambitious, and not pay high wages to older squad players.
There's no reason to criticise anyone here, in my view. I believe Doucoure that he ideally wanted to stay. But it was just time for both sides to move on. No hard feelings on either side.
12 Posted 24/05/2025 at 12:32:35
As the old saying goes, you can't polish a turd.
13 Posted 26/05/2025 at 07:39:16
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1 Posted 23/05/2025 at 15:30:24
Nice fella though, bought into Everton and understood the club, never stopped running and never hid.
Ultimately we need to move on and so does he. Good luck to him and thanks for that goal.