Everton sign Idrissa Gueye from Aston Villa in £7.1m deal

32-times capped Senegal midfielder Gueye, 26, has opted to remain in the Premier League with Ronald Koeman's side after Villa were relegated to the Championship last season.

He moved to Villa from French Ligue 1 club Lille for £9m a year ago, and made 38 appearances last season.

He apparently had a £7.1m release clause that Everton opted to trigger prompting criticsim by new Villa owner Tony Xia who said on Twitter: "'Once someone has clause in contract, looks like being giving a chance to betray. Said staying one day and escaped the other day. D now G!'"

But the player put such comments behind him to focus on the positives of a second successive season in England's top league.

"I am very happy to be here at Everton and I am very happy and excited to put on the Blue shirt to start the new season here," said Gueye.

“Everton is a big team with big players and great fans. The manager told me he is very happy to have me here and that we will have time to talk about football after.

"I am a defensive midfield player and I like making passes and also getting forward.

“I have played a season with Aston Villa which was a hard season but I think my style is good for the Premier League. You have to fight every game. All the teams are strong and you have to concentrate all through the game.

"Goodison Park is a very good stadium and the fans are very good, too. They push their team forward and I am excited to play there."

Evertn manager Koeman has signed goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg from Fulham, but could lose England central defender John Stones to Manchester City for £50m and striker Romelu Lukaku, who is apparently keen to rejoin Chelsea in a transfer that could be worth £70m.

“Idrissa will provide quality in our squad in the midfield and we want to increase the quality in the team," said Koeman.

"He was one of the players last season with the best record in interceptions and pressing in the midfield.

"We need this kind of quality and I’m happy to have him joining our Club.”