The full Premier League table based on XGplaceholder image
The full Premier League table based on XG | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool have been linked with a controversial move for Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye but how much would the winger cost?
Things haven’t quite gone according to plan though with a culmination of factors conspiring to hamstring the Reds from progressing in the way that they had hoped.
Liverpool learn fee needed to sign Iliman Ndiaye
Regardless, Liverpool continue to be on the lookout for a direct replacement for Salah, not in terms of goals and assists, but positionally, a natural right winger who can add balance to the attack when the Egyptian international is absent or needs to be rested. Antoine Semenyo has been linked but a controversial move for Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye has also been reported - with Man City and Tottenham also linked.
According to TEAMtalk, Everton has confirmed that no club has contacted them about a possible transfer for Ndiaye since Inter Milan during the summer transfer window, despite what recent reports have suggested. Everton are digging their heels in and they have no intention of selling Ndiaye in January or even of listening to any offers. With the winger contracted until 2029, they are in no rush to cash-in amid the interest from Man City and Spurs too.
However, a fee in the region of £70m has been reported which is £5m more than the £65m release clause that Semenyo has at Bournemouth.
Additionally, if Ndiaye is the subject of offers next summer, they will have to be “huge” for Everton to be tempted to sell. The same sources also told TEAMtalk that “Liverpool are the last club Everton would sell to”. But if Liverpool can stump up the big-money, the Toffees could be powerless to reject.
Every player has their price though and if there is a bidding war for Semenyo, despite his release clause, Ndiaye might prove to be the most sensible option. There might not be a need to sell, but PSR hangs over every club and Everton are no different. They still have to balance the books.
What Moyes said about selling Ndiaye
Everton’s financial position has improved greatly from the time when Abel Xavier was signed by Liverpool for £800,000 and Ndiaye is a key player for Moyes. With aspirations of climbing the table, the last thing that they will want to do is sell the 25-year old who has four goals and an assist this season. The Toffees boss has already responded to speculation and Richard Hughes might have to have a rethink, via BBC Sport: "I don’t really see the speculation because I’m not looking probably," Moyes told a press conference.
"I think he’s got a three-and-a-half-year deal here, maybe more, so it’s something we’re fully aware of, and he’s playing really well. It would be wrong for teams not to talk about him because of his form. Here at Everton, we’re building a team and we want to build with players like Ili, so we’ve no intention of letting him go, that’s for sure."
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