Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye remains a priority target for Al-Hilal, but the Toffees demands have scared off the Saudi side for now.
Asharq Al-Awsat report that the 26-year-old remains a firm part of Al-Hilal’s plans, but Everton’s refusal to budge on their asking price has left the deal stalled.
Everton talks delayed
The outlet reports that Al-Hilal’s management are continuing to work on strengthening the squad before the summer transfer window closes. They are ‘prioritising’ a move for Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye as they look to bolster their options on the wing.
However, ‘negotiations remain stalled’ due to the financial demands set by those in charge at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
‘Informed sources’ have told Asharq Al-Awsat that Everton have ‘set high financial terms’ for Ndiaye. That’s caused negotiations to slow down as Al-Hilal try to find a suitable formula without exceeding their own ‘established’ budget.
There have even been indications from the club that if negotiations remain ‘deadlocked’, Al-Hilal might postpone signing a new foreign winger until the January transfer window.
That is ‘particularly likely’ as Simone Inzaghi and his team have confidence in the options already available.
January transfer window instead
That confidence comes after Darwin Núñez has impressed in pre-season. Inzaghi has deployed the striker as a left-winger alongside Crysencio Summerville and Karim Benzema.
That is something they could now stick with, particularly if offers don’t arrive for the former Liverpool striker.
His exit is potentially key to the deal for the Everton star. Asharq Al-Awsat report that the coming days will be decisive in Al-Hilal’s efforts for a foreign winger. There is a growing feeling that any efforts will be postponed until the January transfer window.
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Father’s quotes ruled out Saudi transfer
Putting those two things together, that is perhaps why Iliman Ndiaye’s father recently insisted that his son is going nowhere.
“Many people called me to tell me that Iliman was going to leave. But rest assured, he’s not going anywhere,” he said.
“He called me this morning. I even teased him with a few words in Arabic, and we had a good laugh. He let me know he had no intention of going to Saudi Arabia.
“He knows he can earn a lot of money there, but he also thinks his level could drop. He’s not the type to prioritise money over his career.”
🇮🇹 Jonathan Rowe | €45m could be enough for Everton
➡️ Toffees have made two €35m offers this week for two different left wingershttps://t.co/o0fP7OMmF7 #efc #coyb
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) August 6, 2026
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