Full Breakdown
Everton Battles to Retain Iliman Ndiaye Amid Contract Stalemate
6/3/2026, 12:56:09 AM
Core Negotiations Over Ndiaye’s Future
Everton are engaged in protracted talks with forward Iliman Ndiaye, whose current contract runs for three more years without an exit clause. The club has presented multiple extension offers since the start of the year, but Ndiaye and his representatives have rejected each proposal. Sources familiar with the negotiations, speaking anonymously, indicate that the primary obstacle is Everton’s demand for an exit clause that could be activated as early as the upcoming summer.
Background and Recent Performance
Ndiaye, 26, joined Everton from Marseille for a reported £15 million in the summer of 2024 after spells at Sheffield United and Marseille. He contributed six goals and three assists in the Premier League this season and has scored 17 times in 71 appearances across all competitions for Everton. He quickly earned a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most effective dribblers. Internationally, he was part of the Senegal squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Key Stakeholders
The principal parties in the dispute are Everton Football Club, manager David Moyes, and Ndiaye’s agent. Potential suitors include unnamed Champions League clubs expected to monitor his situation, especially if he performs well at the forthcoming World Cup with Senegal.
Contract Details and Valuation
Everton’s current offer would make Ndiaye one of the club’s top earners. The club is reportedly prepared to set a prohibitive transfer valuation, citing a benchmark of €80 million—the fee Barcelona paid Newcastle United for Anthony Gordon—as a reference point to deter interest.
Official Club Position
Everton have publicly emphasized the need to protect the value of a key player and to retain control over any future transfer timing or price. The club has not disclosed specific financial terms but has indicated willingness to negotiate a new deal that aligns with its strategic objectives.
Points of Contention
Ndiaye’s camp has expressed reservations about the proposed exit clause, viewing it as a restriction on the player’s future mobility. The clause’s potential activation as early as the summer has been identified as a decisive factor in the ongoing stalemate.
Potential Market Interest
Analysts anticipate heightened interest from clubs competing in the Champions League, with the World Cup serving as a potential showcase for Ndiaye’s abilities. No formal bids have been reported to date.
Upcoming Transfer Window Outlook
The summer transfer window, opening in early July, will determine whether Everton can secure an extension or whether Ndiaye will depart under a negotiated transfer. Everton are also expected to pursue reinforcements in the winger, right-back, central-midfield, left-back, and forward positions, with particular attention to Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.
