Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick on Manchester United's bench away at Hull
Manchester United have 'looked closely' at a transfer move for in-demand Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye with a transfer race expected to spark over the final days of the window.
The Toffees are braced for serious interest in the 26-year-old, who has been linked with an exit from the Hill Dickinson Stadium all summer. Everton are reluctant to lose their star player, who netted an important six goals last season.
The Red Devils have completed their dealings in midfield this window and are now looking at a left-back and an additional forward as a priority for Michael Carrick, with the club's season off to a rocky start following a shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City last weekend. Ndiaye could be tempted by the prospect of Champions League football, but Man Utd are not the only club able to offer him that.
Man Utd consider swoop for Everton winger
Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye in action against Liverpool
Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye in action against Liverpool
The latest from TEAMtalk claims that Man Utd are interested in Ndiaye, alongside Manchester City and Liverpool. Indeed, it is the noisy neighbours who appear to be frontrunners to sign the Everton man.
Man City are said to be considering a lofty £80 million offer for the player, in a bid that would be hard for the Toffees to turn down, even this late in the window. The Merseyside outfit paid a reported £15 million to sign the forward from Marseille two years ago.
The departures of Savinho and Omar Marmoush from the Etihad Stadium have freed up space in Enzo Maresca's squad, and added spending money to the transfer kitty.
Man City also have a potential advantage with Everton keen to bring Jack Grealish back to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. A swap deal involving the two players could be brokered.
It's added that Ndiaye has rejected multiple contract offers from Everton, with one eye on an exit. It's that decision from the player that alerted both Man Utd and Liverpool.
Transfer Verdict: Man Utd move is not do-or-Nidaye
Iliman Ndiaye
Iliman Ndiaye
It's an enticing rumour for Man Utd fans. Ndiaye was one of the most exciting players in the league last season and his return of six goals and three assists came with a long break away from the division for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 26-year-old is entering the prime of his career and has a flair that could inject some dynamism into the Red Devils side - the like of which was missing at the MKM Stadium last weekend.
However, it has to be said that the Senegal international does not offer Carrick a new profile. Ndiaye has the versatility to play on either flank, but Man Utd already have Bryan Mbeumo, Marcus Rashford, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha capable in those roles.
Unless one or two of those players was to leave Old Trafford, there would be a surplus of talent on the wings, with questions still to answer in defence and at centre-forward. The Red Devils would be better focusing efforts over the final days of the transfer window elsewhere - if there's £80 million to spend on Ndiaye, there's certainly enough to make Barcelona balk at an offer for Alejandro Balde.
Micah Richards
Micah Richards