The 2026 World Cup is up and running. While audiences are currently fixated on what is proving to be a fascinating tournament, Premier League clubs are working feverishly in the summer transfer window.
Recently, a host of top Premier League clubs have identified Everton star Iliman Ndiaye as a potential target. According to a report from the Daily Mail, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United are monitoring the player’s progress, though none of them have made an official approach as of yet.
On top of this, Everton’s bitter rivals, Liverpool, were also linked with a move for the player back in April [via TEAMtalk]. The Toffees would be highly reluctant to allow him to make the jump across the Mersey, but should a move is not without precedent.
Ndiaye is under contract at Everton until the summer of 2029, meaning the Toffees are under no pressure to sell as of yet. As one of their star players, they won’t let go of him without a fight.
Iliman Ndiaye 2025/26 Premier League stats
Games Goals Assists Yellow Cards Red Cards
Iliman Ndiaye 32 6 3 2 0
Ever since his arrival at Everton from Marseille in 2024, Ndiaye has been one of the Toffees’ most important players. Always on hand to bail them out or produce a moment of magic, the Senegalese international provides Everton with a real X-factor that they wouldn’t have otherwise.
Technically, Ndiaye might be amongst the best players in the Premier League at the moment. His ability to drop the shoulder and turn a defence is fantastic – furthermore, he is a very accomplished striker of the ball. He has scored some spectacular goals on more than a few occasions across his two seasons at Goodison Park and the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
On top of this, Ndiaye is a very adaptable attacking player. While he is most comfortable when playing on the right wing, he is also very adept on the left, as this allows him to cut inside on his right foot. However, as a fairly ambidextrous player, this rarely matters. Additionally, he can also play as an attacking midfielder or, on rare occasions, as an out-and-out striker.
Unusually, he is also pretty solid from a defensive standpoint. He made 70 tackles in the Premier League last season – clearly, despite being an attacking player, he isn’t willing to shirk his defensive duties. This is probably why he has thrived so much under the stewardship of David Moyes – the Scotsman does not allow for passengers in his setup.
He does have a couple of weaknesses, however. He isn’t a particularly physical player, meaning he can be muscled off the ball with little effort if caught in possession. Furthermore, while his passing and ability to create chances are both solid, his crossing is not. Last season, he had a successful crosses percentage of just 12.7% [via FotMob].
Who would benefit the most from Ndiaye’s arrival?
Ironically, of the four clubs mentioned, Liverpool would probably benefit the most from bringing Ndiaye on board. Arsenal have a host of strong right wingers – if he made the jump to the Emirates Stadium, he would likely exclusively play on the left, which is not his natural role.
Meanwhile, both Manchester United and Manchester City have plenty of excellent wide players and attacking midfielder – we feel that a move to either of these clubs would see him getting lost in the mix.
Meanwhile, Liverpool need a shakeup in the attacking department. With Mohamed Salah having left the club, they need someone to take on his mantle – Ndiaye could be an excellent candidate for his replacement.