Saturday 16 February 2019 07:44, UK
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye is not giving up on his dream move to Paris Saint-Germain and says he is hopeful the French champions will "come back to me" in the summer.
The 29-year-old was denied a January move to the Ligue 1 leaders, with Everton rejecting an improved offer of £26.2m late on Deadline Day.
Gueye is intent on playing for a Champions League side and handed in a transfer request last month to try and force through a deal.
Manager Marco Silva had hoped Gueye would put the disappointment of missing out on a move behind him, but the Senegal international's focus appears to remain on an imminent exit from Goodison Park.
He told French outlet L'Equipe: "It is a dream that sadly did not come true. Every player works to join the best teams, to play in matches in the Champions League.
"But I was honoured that PSG were interested in me. Now, I know that I am of interest to these types of clubs, I am ready to go to the final level to join a top European club.
"I am going to work even more so that they come back to me. Maybe it is not finished with PSG."
Gueye, who arrived from Aston Villa for £7.6m in August 2016, also revealed that PSG made contact with him directly in January to try and make a breakthrough.
"PSG asked my leaders to find out how I could leave," Gueye added. "But Everton put the brakes on right away. They did not want to sell me. I pushed."
"I saw the directors to tell them of my desire to go to Paris, it was a golden opportunity, a huge challenge not to miss at 29 years old."
