Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are reportedly in the final stages of negotiations concerning the possible transfers of Iliman Ndiaye and the former Everton forward Richarlison. The clubs are said to be working through the financial and contractual details that would see the two players change allegiances before the summer deadline. The discussions around Ndiaye centre on a price tag of roughly £60 million.
The 23‑year‑old winger, who turned down several renewed contract offers from Everton, is believed to be open to a move back to north London. Personal terms are also being hammered out, with both parties keen to reach an agreement that satisfies the player’s wage expectations and the club’s salary structure. Ndiaye has been a regular feature in Everton’s line‑up since his arrival from Marseille two seasons ago, netting 17 goals in 74 appearances.
His performances have attracted interest from a number of top clubs, including Manchester City, although the Dutch striker Cody Gakpo – another player Tottenham had been tracking – now appears to be the most likely candidate for a move to the Etihad Stadium. Everton, meanwhile, are eager to bring back Richarlison, the Brazilian striker who left Goodison Park in 2022 for a £60 million switch to Antonio Conte’s Tottenham side. The Merseyside club is said to be prepared to meet a £35 million fee to secure his services once again.
Richarlison’s first spell at Everton was productive; he scored 53 goals in 152 games and quickly became a fan favourite. However, his time in London has been frustrating, with limited playing opportunities and a series of injuries hampering his impact. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi confirmed on Saturday that Richarlison, who is now in the final year of his contract, was omitted from the squad for the 2‑0 home defeat to Newcastle United because he had repeatedly expressed a desire to leave. De Zerbi explained, “Richarlison told us many times that he wants to move on, so we had to respect his wishes.” The Brazilian’s situation is compounded by the fact that he has been linked with a return to Everton, a club where he enjoyed his most consistent spell.
The Spurs boss also hinted that the club is looking to add another forward before the transfer window shuts, with Chelsea’s Pedro Neto reportedly on Tottenham’s radar, although the primary focus appears to remain on securing Ndiaye. Tottenham have already committed more than £300 million in this summer’s market.
The most recent addition was Omar Marmoush, who arrived on a loan deal that includes an obligation to purchase, joining former Manchester City teammate Savio Medeira at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after the Brazilian’s £85 million transfer. Earlier in the window, the club splashed out £237 million for Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke, while also acquiring Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers. These signings illustrate the scale of Tottenham’s spending spree and the ambition to reinforce the squad across multiple positions. Everton are not only focused on Richarlison.
They have also been in advanced talks with Manchester City regarding a possible deal for Jack Grealish. Grealish, who is in the final year of his contract with City, remains a coveted target for the Toffees. Sky Sports News reports that the structure of any potential agreement is still fluid, with Everton monitoring the situation closely. Grealish was absent as City thrashed Crystal Palace 4‑1 at Selhurst Park, a match that reignited speculation about his future.
Everton’s sporting director, Marco Maresca, said, “I spoke with Jack on Thursday. We’ll see what happens in the next 48 to 72 hours.” Elsewhere in the league, Sunderland have been linked with a move for the forward who spent last season on loan at Everton, while Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong has collapsed.
Forest were prepared to offer £40 million for the 19‑year‑old, but Everton’s board voted unanimously to keep the player. Manager David Moyes, after a 1‑1 draw with Bournemouth, stressed that any decision about Armstrong’s sale would be a “club decision.” He added, “Supporters always need to be considered; they aren’t always wrong.” The young academy graduate has already made 24 appearances for Everton and enjoys strong backing from the fanbase, who have repeatedly chanted that selling him would cause unrest. The transfer saga surrounding Tottenham and Everton highlights the complex nature of modern football negotiations, where clubs must balance financial constraints, player ambitions, and supporter expectations.
As the deadline approaches, both north‑London and Merseyside sides will need to finalize their strategies, whether that means securing new talent, re‑uniting with former stars, or holding firm on players they deem essential for the upcoming season. The outcomes of these talks will shape the squads for the 2024‑25 campaign and could have a lasting impact on the competitive balance of the Premier League.