Home›News›Everton news and talking points: Ndiaye’s big day …
A defeat at Stoke set the tone for a day that turned into one of the busiest of the summer for Everton news, with the Ndiaye saga taking a significant step forward, a fresh name emerging in defence, and David Moyes’ side left to reflect on a night short on fitness rather than short on effort.
Here’s a round-up of everything we’ve covered on ReadEverton today.
Beaten at Stoke as fitness work continues
Everton lost 1-0 at Stoke City on Tuesday night, beaten by a Gabriel Kelly strike deep into stoppage time.
It was a mixed evening for a side still building match sharpness rather than chasing results, with Jarrad Branthwaite continuing his reintegration from the sidelines and a fourth pre-season defeat unlikely to trouble Moyes too much with the season opener still 24 days away.
Ndiaye’s exit takes shape
The Ndiaye story moved twice today. First came confirmation that the winger has made his own desire to leave known, having rejected as many as four new contract offers. Then, personal terms were reported agreed between Ndiaye and Al Hilal, leaving the fee as the only obstacle left in a move that looked far less certain even a week ago.
Everton’s valuation — believed to sit around the £70m mark — hasn’t shifted throughout.
Second suitor joins Rowe race
Everton’s interest in Bologna’s Jonathan Rowe took a complicating turn, with a second, unnamed English club reported to have made contact over the winger — muddying a picture that had looked to favour Everton over Manchester United alone.
Grealish trains alone as City head to Asia
Jack Grealish was left out of Man City’s touring squad for their pre-season trip to Hong Kong, with the winger instead posting training images from Mallorca. City’s reported reluctance to loan him out again complicates any straightforward Everton return.
Elsewhere: a defensive name to watch, and a summer in numbers
Everton were named among the clubs monitoring FC Neom’s Nathan Zézé as the defender considers a Saudi exit, though no approach has been made. And with the transfer window now 45 days old, we took a lighter look back at four signings that have made for the quietest summer in years.
We’ll continue to bring you the latest Everton news, transfer updates and analysis throughout the week as the Premier League opener draws nearer.