REUTERS/Chris Radburn
Manchester City are showing an interest in Everton's Iliman Ndiaye ahead of Tuesday's 11pm transfer deadline, according to Ben Jacobs.
It has been a very busy summer at the Etihad Stadium so far with City splashing the cash after some high-profile exits.
After selling the likes of Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho, Nico Gonzalez and James Trafford for big money, Enzo Maresca's side have spent just shy of £200m to strengthen their midfield with the additions of Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
City could still be busy in what remains of the transfer window, however, with more movement expected to happen.
According to GIVEMESPORT transfer expert Jacobs, City are keen on Ndiaye, who is valued at £80m by Everton.
Ndiaye is a name considered by Arsenal, but their dream target remains Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez in what is left of the transfer window.
A potential deal for the Senegalese ace would give Maresca options galore in attack as he can operate on either wing, centrally or as a centre forward.
Ndiaye has started both of Everton's games in the 2026/27 season, registering an assist for Thierno Barry's goal in last Saturday's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Man City's 2026/27 summer signings
Pierce Charles
Geronimo Ruli
Jeremy Monga
Elliot Anderson
Ayyoub Bouaddi
Mathys Detourbet
Type a player name in the box below to reveal each answer
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
What City would be signing in Ndiaye
Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye in action against Liverpool
Manchester City only need to speak to current player Jack Grealish if they need a glowing reference of Ndiaye.
The duo were teammates at Hill Dickinson Stadium last year due to Grealish's Everton loan move, and it's fair to say that the Senegal ace made a big impression on his fellow attacker, who claimed that Ndiaye is the most skilful player in the Premier League.
"In terms of pure skill, yeah," he said. "I'm not sitting here saying, 'oh yeah, he's the best,' but he could be the best... but skilful. [Bukayo] Saka, for example, is so good, one of the best wingers in the world. But he's not skilful."
He added: "Like, [Jeremy] Doku, for example, you wouldn't put him in, like, I don't know, a small five-a-side pitch.
“But Ndiaye wouldn't even need that space at all. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No matter where he's in. He's just in and out, whereas Doku, like, you know, might need a bit of space for his, like, pace and stuff. Saka as well."
As mentioned above, Ndiaye's versatility would play into Maresca's hands as he could alternate between the player, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku out wide each game with so much football on the agenda.
Two of the duo, plus the option of Phil Foden or Cherki as an attacking midfielder, would give City an extremely talented trio behind Erling Haaland when it comes to flourishing in attack in the quest to win major honours.
Potential Man City attack with Ndiaye: Ndiaye, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.