Everton Eyes Assane Diao as Potential Transfer Addition
Everton is contemplating a major signing as the transfer window nears its close, with reports from TeamTalk indicating that Como winger Assane Diao has emerged as a viable option. Meanwhile, the club is still evaluating the feasibility of acquiring Jack Grealish.
Recruitment efforts at Goodison Park are directed towards enhancing the team’s wide options. The 20-year-old Senegal international, Diao, is regarded as having the right attributes and potential. His interest in moving to the Premier League could influence Everton’s decision should they choose to pursue him.
The financial aspect remains a challenge, as Como reportedly is “prepared to listen to offers in the region of £50-60 million for the 20-year-old,” placing the potential transfer in high-stakes territory. This valuation will certainly affect Everton’s considerations as they weigh other ongoing priorities.
Assane Diao Matches Everton’s Recruitment Strategy
Diao’s appeal to Everton is compelling. He brings “pace, physicality, and the ability to play on either flank,” with additional versatility noted by his experience as a centre-forward. This trait is particularly significant for Everton as they look to strengthen multiple positions with one signing.
Diao’s performance record at Como further justifies the interest. Since his arrival from Real Betis in 2025, he has scored 10 goals and provided two assists in 35 appearances. For a young player acclimatizing to a new league, these statistics are promising, underlining why Everton sees him as a potential addition.
Consideration of Jack Grealish Remains Active
Despite the focus on Diao, Grealish is still in Everton’s thoughts. He enjoyed a productive loan spell at the club last season, where he regained significant form before an injury interrupted his progress. This familiarity could facilitate negotiations, especially as “the England international has kept in touch with the club, and a return is still a possibility.”
While Everton expresses a “preference for a second loan deal,” illustrating a cautious approach towards finances and team planning, Diao is considered a longer-term alternative if a move for Grealish becomes complicated or too costly.
Status of Iliman Ndiaye Could Influence Next Steps
Another key element in this situation involves Iliman Ndiaye. Currently, Everton’s stance is firm; the 26-year-old “is not for sale.” However, that position may change if a top Premier League club makes a bid exceeding £80 million.
This context is critical. Everton seeks to recruit another wide player regardless, but a serious move for Ndiaye would heighten the urgency for reinforcements. As it stands, “barring a significant sale of Ndiaye, it is difficult to see Everton signing both Diao and Grealish this summer.”
The central question now is whether Everton is ready to commit over £50 million for Diao or to pursue a more familiar and affordable option with Grealish. The club remains engaged in active discussions as they adapt to the evolving marketplace.
General Perspective
For supporters, this situation presents a pivotal moment for the club. The prospect of Assane Diao excites many, reflecting the need for youthful talent with versatility and speed in attacking roles, an area where Everton has struggled for too long.
However, a £50-60 million investment on a developing player is considerable. While fans appreciate ambition, particularly with backing from The Friedkin Group for manager David Moyes, it’s essential that this ambition is strategic. If Diao is signed, he must be seen as a future star for the Premier League, rather than merely a reactive signing in a challenging market.
In contrast, Grealish represents a more emotional option due to his established skills showcased during his previous time at Everton. If he has truly “rediscovered” his best abilities and desires a return, the appeal is clear, even though concerns about cost and fitness, as well as the implications of another temporary deal, loom large.
Ultimately, Ndiaye’s future appears to be the most pressing issue. Retaining him while adding either Diao or Grealish would create a more robust attacking lineup. However, if he is sold for a significant fee, the dynamics shift, possibly necessitating more than one attacking acquisition to ensure the team’s competitiveness.
Everton are weighing a significant move in the market, with TeamTalk reporting that Como winger Assane Diao has emerged as a serious option while the club continue to assess whether a deal for Jack Grealish is realistic.
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Recruitment at Goodison Park appears focused on adding more quality in the wide areas before the window closes. Diao, the 20-year-old Senegal international, is viewed as a player with the right profile and the right upside. He is also described as being “keen on a switch to the Premier League”, a factor that could become important if Everton decide to advance their interest.
There is a financial hurdle. Como are said to be “prepared to listen to offers in the region of £50-60 million for the 20-year-old”, which places the deal firmly in premium territory. That valuation will shape Everton’s thinking, particularly as other priorities remain in play.
Assane Diao fits Everton recruitment plan
From an Everton perspective, the appeal is obvious. Diao offers “pace, physicality and the ability to operate on either flank”, and his versatility extends even further. “The fact that he has played as a centre-forward is another plus for Everton, given that is another position they are keen to strengthen in.” In a single target, Everton would be addressing more than one need.
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Diao’s record at Como adds substance to the interest. Since joining from Real Betis in 2025, he has registered 10 goals and two assists in 35 appearances. For a young attacker adapting to a new league, those are encouraging numbers, and they help explain why Everton have identified him as a possible solution.
Jack Grealish remains part of Everton thinking
At the same time, Grealish has not gone away. He “spent last season on loan at Everton, where he rediscovered some of his best form before injury intervened.” That previous spell matters, because familiarity can often simplify a transfer discussion. It is also notable that “The England international has maintained contact with the club, and a return remains under consideration.”
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Even so, Everton’s ideal structure appears clear. Their “preference being a second loan deal”, a detail that hints at caution around cost and squad planning. Diao, by contrast, is framed as “a younger, longer-term alternative should a move for Grealish prove complicated or overly expensive”.
Iliman Ndiaye stance could shape next move
Another important strand in this story concerns Iliman Ndiaye. Everton’s current position is firm, the 26-year-old “is not for sale”, although that stance may only hold to a point. According to the report, “their resolve could be tested if a top Premier League side launches a bid north of £80million.”
That context is crucial. Everton want another wide player regardless, but any serious move for Ndiaye would intensify the need for reinforcements. As things stand, “barring a big-money Ndiaye sale, it is hard to see Everton signing both Diao and Grealish this summer.”
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The central question, then, is whether Everton are prepared to stretch beyond £50 million for potential, or whether a more familiar and financially manageable route opens up with Grealish. Either way, the club’s attacking plans are active, layered and closely tied to how the wider market develops.
Our View
As an Everton supporter, this feels like one of those moments where the club have to get the balance exactly right. Assane Diao sounds exciting, and there is plenty to like about a young attacker with “pace, physicality and the ability to operate on either flank”. Everton have lacked that kind of depth and variation in forward areas for too long.
At the same time, £50-60 million is a huge outlay for a player who is still developing. Supporters will always back ambition, especially if The Friedkin Group are ready to support David Moyes, but it has to be smart ambition. If Diao arrives, he needs to be a player the club genuinely believe can become a top Premier League attacker, not simply an expensive reaction to a difficult market.
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Grealish is the more emotional option because fans have seen what he can do in an Everton shirt. If he truly “rediscovered some of his best form” and still wants the move, there is obvious appeal there. The concern would be cost, fitness and whether another temporary deal serves the long-term rebuild as well as a younger signing might.
The Ndiaye angle is probably the biggest issue of all. If Everton keep him and add one more quality wide player, the attack already looks healthier. If he goes for “a bid north of £80million”, then the pressure changes completely and Everton may need more than one attacking addition. From a fan’s point of view, keeping Ndiaye and adding one of Diao or Grealish would feel like the best outcome, with Diao perhaps the bolder move and Grealish the safer one.
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