Manager David Moyes took a strong line when speaking about Iliman Ndiaye's Everton future
A report has claimed that Everton face a fight to keep hold of Iliman Ndiaye this summer but Blues boss David Moyes has already delivered a strong verdict on the prospect of a potential exit for the player.
An article by the Athletic states that Everton want to hand Ndiaye a new deal on improved wages as a reward for his form since his £15million move from Olympique Marseille in July 2024 but despite having been in talks since the start of the year his camp have rejected “multiple” contract offers for the star who is “likely” to have a projected transfer value of around the £70million mark.
Given that the 26-year-old still has a further three years to run on his existing contract and any impressive performances in this summer’s World Cup finals which start next week with his Senegal side facing France, Norway and Iraq in the group stage could only bolster his worth, the Blues find themselves in a strong position though.
Manager Moyes addressed the issue head on when speaking in his pre-match press conference to preview Everton’s 2-2 draw at Brentford on April 11. Asked whether Everton can move on from having to sell their star players amid speculation over top teams casting admiring glances at Ndiaye, Moyes said: “He is the last person I would consider selling.
“There are others as well [that I wouldn’t want to sell], but my point is I have no interest in hearing the talk if there is talk out there.
“I don’t think there is any club that is not a selling club at the right value for their player. I am not saying that means he is for sale, I am not, I just think it is a genuine thing where there is a price where people would say: ‘well, we have to do something.’
“But it is getting too hard to build teams and also supporters are looking for a quick return which managers are not getting. So why would we be giving up their better players?”
Meanwhile, Ndiaye, who etched himself into Everton history by scoring their last two goals at Goodison Park plus the opening strike in a competitive match at Hill Dickinson Stadium, insisted that he was loving life at the Blues in an interview with the club in January. He said: “I was always very keen to stay here and be part of this new chapter for Everton.
“As I always say, if there are rumours or interest and things like that, it must mean you’re doing something right, right? I am really happy to be at this club and be part of a new project with the new stadium, new ownership. It feels like a new adventure for all of us.”
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