A former Sheffield United favourite has been linked by Fabrizio Romano to Man City
Sheffield United fan favourite Iliman Ndiaye is being targeted by the Premier League’s top two teams according to reports, with suggestions that he could be involved in a move to take Jack Grealish back to Everton.
Ndiaye, who left United for boyhood club Marseille before coming back to England following a tough season in the south of France, had appeared set to move to Saudi and Al-Hilal before changing his mind.
That, however may not mean he is staying at Everton though with both Arsenal and Manchester City reported to be interesting in signing the Senegal international.
It was initially felt that a cash-only transfer would be wanted by Everton, with a reported £80million price tag on the 26-year-old. However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has suggested that a deal may be offered that would see Grealish return to Merseyside on a permanent basis.
City are looking for attacking reinforcements, while Arsenal are also light in that department but Everton will eb reluctant to let their most prize asset leave at this stage of the transfer window, regardless of the make-up of the deal.
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Ndiaye made his name at Sheffield United having been snapped up from Boreham Wood and brought through the academy.
He helped the Blades gain promotion to the Premier League under Paul Heckingbottom and after a summer of speculation involving Marseille, where at one point it appeared as though he had agreed a new deal at Bramall Lane, Ndiaye eventually moved back to France where he grew up.
He found it difficult to settle during a turbulent time for the club and eventually moved back to England and Everton in 2024 where has since scored 17 goals in 73 appearances.
Toffees boss David Moyes said of Ndiaye that it would take “something absolutely outrageous” for the forward to be leaving Everton.
Sheffield United forward Iliman Ndiaye, who has completed his £20m move from the Premier League to Ligue 1 side Marseille.placeholder image
Sheffield United forward Iliman Ndiaye, who has completed his £20m move from the Premier League to Ligue 1 side Marseille.
“The words we say that ‘everyone has a price’ but he has not got a price to me. As far as I’m concerned, as long as I’ve been here, he has never been leaving and I don’t know where the stories have come from.”
Moyes added: “He gave us a little bit of magic dust, Ili. He’s got that capability of doing that and I think he gives it to the supporters as well.
“So why would any manager, me being the one at the moment, have any thought that they’d be keen on selling him? Not at all.”