Everton midfielder Iliman Ndiaye puffs out his cheeks
Credit: Imago
Evan Lloyd
Tue 2 September 2025 19:40, UK
Everton’s summer transfer window could have taken a dramatically different path, had they accepted a big-money bid for Iliman Ndiaye.
The Toffees ultimately signed nine new players to bolster David Moyes’ options, although the Scot would have liked to see one more arrive.
Everton signed Merlin Rohl from SC Freiburg on deadline day, with the midfielder arriving on a loan with an obligation to buy next summer.
But injuries have left Moyes’ side lacking strength in depth at the back, with Everton opting against signing a defender in the final hours of the window.
Everton beat Wolves 3-2 on Saturday in what has been a strong start to the season, with loan signing Jack Grealish among the standouts so far.
Everton
Credit: Imago
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Everton reject £40m enquiry for Iliman Ndiaye
Everton would have only considered offers of £100million for Ndiaye this summer, with the midfielder establishing himself as a key player last season.
The Senegal international arrived from Marseille for around £15m last summer, and netted nine goals in the Premier League.
And this season already, Ndiaye has scored goals against both Brighton and Wolves, combining well with Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The Athletic reported on Tuesday 2 September that Everton rejected an enquiry from Inter Milan for the 25-year-old this summer, with the Serie A side valuing the player around £40m.
Unsurprisingly, the offer was knocked back immediately with the Toffees keen to build around Ndiaye, not without him.
Wolves, scary? Ndiaye doesn’t think so. 👎
🔵🎥 Watch the highlights from our 3-2 win at Molineux Stadium on YouTube now.
— Everton (@Everton) August 30, 2025
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Iliman Ndiaye sale for £40m would have ranked him in Everton top six
For a player of Ndiaye’s quality in today’s transfer market, £40m does not feel like a sizeable fee.
But the sale would have ranked in the top six of Everton’s largest ever sales, coming in at £10m more expensive than the sale of Wayne Rooney in 2004 and slightly less than Anthony Gordon’s £45m move to Newcastle United in 2023.
Everton – Record sales Fee
Romelu Lukaku £75m
Richarlison £60m
Amadou Onana £50m
John Stones £47.5m
Wayne Rooney £30m
Idrissa Gueye £30m
John Stones’ £47.5m move to Manchester City in 2016 ranks at fourth, before the sales of Amadou Onana for £50m, Richarlison for £60m, and Romelu Lukaku for £75m.
What will be encouraging for Everton, is that Ndiaye did not agitate for a move this summer, even when faced with a proposition as attractive as Inter Milan.
The midfielder will play a key part in Moyes’ squad this season, as the Toffees attempt to get back to where they should be – contending for the European spots.
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