Al Hilal’s massive financial backing offers the Toffees a rare chance to net a record sale, potentially funding a squad-wide rebuild through the Saudi market.
Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye is attracting interest from Al Hilal, and it's a real opportunity for the Toffees to make something happen in the summer transfer window.
Nobody ever wants to lose their best players, but as I've said in the summer previously, Everton need to sell at some point.
We can't continue to keep buying players without any leaving. No club can survive that, really. Then you add that we're a club without European football. The increased revenue from the stadium can only go so far.
I'd love Ndiaye to be built around in attack, adding better players and eventually developing into a style that suits him and gets the best from him.
Unfortunately, right now, an offer that could see us make a profit of five or six times what we paid might be silly to turn down.
If Al Hilal are willing to spend what they did on Crysencio Summerville, then it puts Everton in a perfect position.
Everton will, if they are smart enough, point directly to that deal. Ndiaye has outperformed Summerville in the Premier League over the last two years. Ndiaye isn't much older, and he's also more versatile.
In reality, Al Hilal have an almost unlimited pot. If they want Ndiaye and Ndiaye wants the move, they'll pay what Everton want. If Saudi clubs get player buy-in, it's incredibly rare that they don't get the deal done.
Just look at the Summerville deal. Roma placed multiple bids, were working on the deal as you normally would, and Al Hilal seemingly don't even negotiate with a similar offer. Straight in with a significantly higher bid, and they sign the player in a matter of days.
You can now add that Saudi tax on top. As mentioned, if they want the player, they'll pay over the odds.
Say we're talking in the region of £80m, Everton simply can't reject that. That's over five times what Everton paid for him, and would be our record sale.
Ndiaye is great. I love watching him and he will undoubtedly go to the next level in a better side, but he's certainly not irreplaceable.
If £80m is spent wisely, it could be crucial for Everton.
You can then afford to drop £30m on a right-back, £20m on a project defensive midfielder, £20m on a new winger, and have money left over.
Can we replace Ndiaye for £20m? Well let's not forget he only cost £15m. Tyrique George cost in around £20m. There are deals to be had out there, especially from in around Europe.
You could also push the boat out and find a £30m winger. £80m allows Everton to become a better side overall at the end of the transfer window, and that's what it's all about.
It's not about individual players. Does selling one of our best players lead to us being stronger at the end of the window? If so, you have to detach from the player emotionally, and see the bigger picture.
The obviousy caveat is, can Everton spend it wisely? That might be the issue, but they have to make a decision that makes sense financially, and selling Ndiaye for mega money does make sense.