Everton star Iliman Ndiaye has been linked with a move to Manchester United after impressing in the Premier League this season
Iliman Ndiaye
Iliman Ndiaye(Image: (Alex Livesey/Getty Images))
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Gareth Barry is confident that Iliman Ndiaye will remain an Everton player this summer – but warned his old club the winger is the sort of player who will attract interest. The Senegal international became the Blues' third summer signing back in 2024 when he made the move to Merseyside from Marseille.
Ndiaye had long been of interest to Everton, but the club were unable to prevent a move to France from Sheffield United the summer before he eventually joined. However, he has simply excelled for the Blues and has become one of the standard bearers in David Moyes’ side that is pushing for Europe.
The 26-year-old has six assists and three goals to his name so far this season, and his impressive displays have seen him linked with a move to Manchester United.
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But Barry, speaking to the ECHO via BetMGM, believes: “I think he’s that type of player that naturally gets interest. That style of player doesn't come along too often.
“And for Everton they are hard to replace, especially when you are not in the Champions League. That type of player is really hard to replace.
“If I am the club, I am doing all I can to try and keep him happy, obviously some of it comes down to him, the player, but I am sure the club are going to be on their toes, but I’m confident (he will stay) as he seems to be really enjoying his football.”
Everton head into this weekend’s Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium against Liverpool just five points off the Champions League places.
But when Blues boss Moyes returned in January of last year, the club were just one point above the relegation zone and in a fourth successive battle for top-flight survival.
David Moyes thanks the supporters after the Premier League match between Brentford and Everton at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford. Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
David Moyes thanks the supporters after the Premier League match between Brentford and Everton at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford. Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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And Barry, who made 155 appearances for the Blues, believes Moyes, who is out of contract next summer, should be rewarded by the club’s hierarchy with a new deal for the way he has transformed his old side's fortunes.
“I think they need to give him a new deal because it would be a shame if he was to leave,” he said. “Obviously, David is going to have a big say himself, but he still seems to have the hunger to do it and the fire in his belly.
“It was always going to be a tricky season, this one for him. Moving to a new stadium, I was panicking because Goodison has been a real rock for the club, especially the last few seasons when they have been struggling.
“But they have come out of it with flying colours and a strong finish would mean the top six or seven is not out of the question, which would be an incredible turnaround. I think he deserves a new contract.”
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