Manchester City Targets Iliman Ndiaye as Everton Sticks to £80m Price Tag
Manchester City is considering a potential transfer for Iliman Ndiaye before the transfer window closes Tuesday at 11 PM. According to Ben Jacobs, the Everton forward is among the contenders being evaluated at the Etihad Stadium.
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This summer has been significant for Manchester City, particularly following the departures of key players such as Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho, Nico Gonzalez, and James Trafford. The club has actively engaged in the transfer market, investing nearly £200 million to strengthen pivotal areas in Enzo Maresca’s squad. Notable signings like Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi have aimed to rejuvenate the midfield, alongside various other acquisitions underscoring the breadth of the ongoing rebuilding efforts.
There is a prevailing feeling that operations may still not be finalized. City is reportedly on the lookout for more attacking options, with Ndiaye’s profile presenting an appealing possibility. Everton has placed a valuation of £80 million on the Senegal international, a figure that highlights both his significance to David Moyes’ team and the premium associated with established Premier League players as the window nears its end.
Ndiaye’s Versatility Appeals to City
Ndiaye provides the tactical flexibility that elite teams seek. Capable of playing on either flank, contributing through the middle, or even assuming a central attacking role, his versatility could prove invaluable for Maresca’s side as they aim to compete across various fronts this season.
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His performances at the start of the 2026/27 season have only enhanced this attraction. Ndiaye has started in both of Everton’s opening matches, assisting Thierno Barry’s goal during their 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace. While his contributions are noteworthy, what stands out is his ability to create space in congested areas and alter the pace of an attack with precise movements.
Everton’s Firm Position Could Influence City’s Strategy
However, negotiations for Ndiaye might not progress smoothly. Everton is under no urgent pressure to sell, especially as Ndiaye is a crucial component of their attacking strategy and has been impactful in the early weeks of the season. If City intends to challenge that resolve, they will likely need to meet the steep asking price.
Although Arsenal has also expressed interest in Ndiaye, their current focus appears to lie in different directions. This context highlights Manchester City’s pursuit not simply as a deadline-day reaction, but rather as part of a broader acknowledgment of Ndiaye’s rising profile.
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City’s attacking lineup currently includes Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku, and Phil Foden in support of Erling Haaland. Adding Ndiaye to this group would enhance both depth and variety. He represents a unique type of attacker, one less dependent on transitional play and more adept at handling pressure, making him a fitting addition for close contests.
Deadline Day Decisions on Attacking Depth Loom
If City proceeds with this move, it seems motivated by Ndiaye’s potential rather than merely seizing an opportunistic chance. As he enters a phase where top clubs recognize his capability for immediate contributions and long-term value, it remains to be seen if Everton’s valuation will prove too high, but their interest is serious and warrants close attention as the transfer deadline approaches.
Our Perspective
From Manchester City’s standpoint, pursuing Ndiaye appears to be a sensible option. He possesses the creative flair that fans appreciate, capable of outsmarting defenders with feints and swift footwork. This ability is particularly valuable for a team that frequently faces defensive blocks each week.
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Additionally, integrating another versatile attacker would complete the squad’s refreshing approach. Ndiaye would not require a system tailored exclusively for him; he could perform various roles, starting wide or rotating centrally while offering distinct qualities compared to Doku, Cherki, or Foden.
However, the £80 million price tag is significant, even by today’s market standards, and Everton has strong reasons to maintain their stance. Yet, if City believes in his potential as a key player under Maresca, investing now could be wiser than waiting for a higher price later.
Manchester City fans may welcome the fact that this candidate already has Premier League experience, reducing adaptation risks. His form at the season’s beginning indicates he could be ready for a bigger challenge. If City succeeds in securing his services, it would represent a strategic move before the transfer window closes.
Manchester City Eye Iliman Ndiaye as Everton Hold Firm on £80m Valuation
Manchester City are exploring a possible move for Iliman Ndiaye before Tuesday’s 11pm transfer deadline, with Ben Jacobs reporting that the Everton attacker is among the names under consideration at the Etihad Stadium.
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It has already been a significant summer for City. Following major departures including Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho, Nico Gonzalez and James Trafford, the club have moved aggressively in the market to reshape key areas of Enzo Maresca’s squad. Spending has approached £200m, with Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi brought in to refresh the midfield, while several other additions have underlined the scale of the rebuild.
Yet there remains a sense that business may not be complete. City are understood to be assessing further attacking reinforcements, and Ndiaye’s profile makes him an intriguing option. Everton are said to value the Senegal international at £80m, a figure that reflects both his importance to David Moyes’ side and the premium attached to proven Premier League quality late in the window.
Iliman Ndiaye Transfer Fits City Need
Ndiaye offers the kind of tactical flexibility elite clubs covet. He can play from either flank, operate through the middle and, if required, lead the line. For Maresca, that sort of adaptability would be particularly useful across a season in which City will again expect to challenge on multiple fronts.
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His start to the 2026/27 campaign has only reinforced that appeal. Ndiaye has featured from the outset in Everton’s opening two matches and supplied the assist for Thierno Barry’s goal in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. Those contributions matter, although perhaps more relevant is the broader impression he leaves, a player capable of creating separation in tight spaces and changing the tempo of an attack with one touch or turn.
Everton Stance Could Shape Man City Plans
There is no indication this would be a straightforward negotiation. Everton are under little pressure to sell so late in the window, particularly with Ndiaye central to their attacking structure and already influential in the opening weeks of the season. If City are to test that resolve, the cost is likely to be substantial.
Arsenal have also looked at Ndiaye, although their priorities are believed to lie elsewhere. That context matters because it frames City’s interest as part of a wider recognition of the player’s growing standing, rather than a speculative glance prompted by deadline-day market conditions.
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City’s current options already include Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden in advanced roles behind Erling Haaland. Adding Ndiaye to that mix would deepen variety as much as numbers. He is a different sort of attacker, less reliant on open grass, more comfortable receiving under pressure and more naturally suited to the improvised moments that often decide tight games.
Attacking Depth Could Define Deadline Day
If City proceed, this feels like a move driven by profile rather than opportunity alone. Ndiaye is entering the kind of phase where top clubs start to see both immediate impact and longer-term upside. Whether Everton’s valuation proves prohibitive remains to be seen, but the interest itself is credible and worth monitoring closely in the final hours of the window.
Our View
From a hopeful Manchester City perspective, this is the sort of report that makes plenty of sense. Ndiaye has that unpredictable edge supporters love, the ability to take a defender out of the game with a feint, a quick shift of feet or a change of direction. In a side that can sometimes face deep blocks every week, that quality has enormous value.
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There is also the squad-building angle. City have refreshed midfield areas and already look different, but adding one more attacker with genuine versatility could complete the picture. Ndiaye would not need the team built around him, which is important. He could start wide, rotate centrally, cover different roles and still offer something distinct from Doku, Cherki or Foden.
The obvious concern is the £80m valuation. That is serious money, even in the current market, and Everton have every reason to stand firm. But if City believe he can become a major player under Maresca, then there is logic in backing that view now rather than revisiting the market later at an even higher price.
Supporters will also like that this appears to be a move for a player already accustomed to the Premier League. There is less adaptation risk, and his early-season form suggests he is ready for another step. If City can make it happen, it would feel like a clever, forward-looking addition before the deadline closes.
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