Everton have reportedly reached an agreement in principle to sell Iliman Ndiaye to Tottenham Hotspur, with former Blues favourite Richarlison heading back to Merseyside.
According to The Athletic, deals have been agreed in principle for both players, although personal terms and medicals still need to be completed.
Importantly, the two transfers are understood to be separate deals and are not linked, meaning this is not a straightforward player-plus-player swap between Everton and Spurs.
🚨 EXCL: Agreement in principle reached for Iliman Ndiaye to join Tottenham Hotspur from Everton & Richarlison to move opposite way in separate transfers. Deals for 26yo #EFC attacker + 29yo #THFC forward subject to personal terms / medicals @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/R0KGDjBlKc
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 30, 2026
Ndiaye set to leave Everton
There have been persistent rumours surrounding Ndiaye throughout the transfer window.
Manchester City were among the clubs linked with the Senegal international, while Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal were also reported to have shown an interest earlier in the summer.
There was also growing acceptance among Evertonians that a major offer could see the club sanction his departure.
That feeling was strengthened by comments from Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear, who hinted during an interview that the Blues could be forced to sell players this summer as they continued to operate within their financial constraints.
Ndiaye had also turned down multiple offers of a new contract last season, despite having three years remaining on his existing Everton deal.
So while the news that he is leaving is disappointing, it is perhaps less surprising than it would have been a few months ago.
Richarlison returns to Everton
Richarlison is reportedly set to return to Everton, just four years after leaving the club for Tottenham in a deal worth up to £60 million.
The Brazilian spent four seasons at Goodison Park between 2018 and 2022, scoring 53 goals in 152 appearances.
His move to Spurs never quite produced the consistency many expected, although he has still found the net 32 times in 134 appearances for the north London club.
Richarlison was Tottenham’s top Premier League goalscorer last season with 11 goals and started their opening-day defeat at Brentford this campaign.
However, new Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi confirmed after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United that Richarlison had been left out of the squad after asking to leave before the transfer window closes.
He now appears to be heading back to where his Premier League career really took off.