Full Breakdown
Manchester City Secure Iliman Ndiaye from Everton
8/31/2026, 11:49:53 PM
Background to the Transfer Saga
In the final days of the summer window, Manchester City shifted focus from a stalled pursuit of Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo to Everton’s Senegal-born winger Iliman Ndiaye. Earlier reports indicated that Tottenham Hotspur had reached an agreement in principle with Everton for Ndiaye, contingent on a swap involving Brazilian striker Richarlison. Richarlison’s failure to agree personal terms with Everton halted that deal, leaving the player available for other suitors. City’s renewed interest coincided with their earlier £80 million bid for Gakpo being rejected by Liverpool, prompting the club to seek an alternative attacking option before the deadline.
Deal Details and Player Profile
- Transfer fee: Reported as a guaranteed £60 million plus £5 million in add-ons, with some outlets describing the total package as “up to £65 million.”
- Player: Iliman Ndiaye, 26, a Senegal international who has earned 43 caps (sources vary between 43 and 44).
- Everton record: Joined from Marseille in 2024 for £15 million; has made 73-74 Premier League appearances, scoring 17 goals and providing four assists. He recorded six goals and three assists in the most recent league season.
- Contract status: Ndiaye declined multiple contract extensions with three years remaining on his Everton deal, prompting the club to negotiate a sale.
According to club sources, the agreement is now in principle, with a medical scheduled for the following day and a long-term contract to be signed at the Etihad Stadium.
Official Statements & Responses
Richarlison, whose potential move to Everton was linked to the Ndiaye deal, issued an Instagram statement asserting his desire for autonomy over his future and noting that he remains under contract with Tottenham.
Verbatim Quotes
- “After everything I've been through in the last few years, I've decided that never again will anyone decide my future for me.” — Richarlison, professional footballer (statement posted on Instagram)
Impact and Outlook
The acquisition adds a right-wing-or-central-attacking option to a City squad that has already spent heavily on midfielders Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Ndiaye’s dribbling, pressing and ability to operate on either flank align with City’s fluid attacking system. For Everton, the £60-plus million inflow represents a substantial profit on a player bought for roughly one-quarter that amount, providing capital for reinvestment in other areas.
Tottenham, having lost the chance to sign Ndiaye, are reported to be pursuing a loan for Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk and other attacking targets to address a poor start to the season. Liverpool, after rejecting City’s bid for Gakpo, appear set to retain the Dutch forward unless a suitable replacement emerges.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact total value of the deal: some describe a fixed £60 million fee with £5 million in add-ons, while others cite an “up to £65 million” package. No official club release has confirmed the final add-on conditions. Additionally, while multiple outlets report that Richarlison’s personal-terms impasse halted the Tottenham-Everton swap, the precise status of that separate negotiation remains unverified.
The transfer’s completion hinges on the pending medical, after which City are expected to announce Ndiaye’s arrival formally.
