Manchester City have finalized a deal worth £65 million with Everton to bring the Senegalese winger Iliman Ndiaye to Etihad Stadium, positioning him as a potential alternative to Dutch forward Cody Gakpo. The agreement, which has been confirmed by both clubs, consists of a guaranteed payment of £60 million with an additional £5 million in performance‑related bonuses, reflecting the Premier League side's commitment to bolstering their attacking options ahead of the closing stages of the summer transfer window. The negotiations have progressed rapidly, partly because City have already been in contact with Everton regarding a separate high‑profile move for Jack Grealish.
That prior dialogue appears to have smoothed the pathway for the Ndiaye transaction, allowing both parties to reach a consensus in a relatively short period of time. The transfer saga has also been influenced by events at Tottenham Hotspur. Richarlison, who has been linked with a move back to Everton, has been hesitant to commit, causing a delay in Spurs' advanced discussions about acquiring Ndiaye. Those talks, which had been ongoing since the previous day, were effectively put on hold as a result of Richarlison’s indecision.
Consequently, Tottenham have been forced to look elsewhere for reinforcement on the wing. In response, Spurs have opened negotiations with Chelsea about the possibility of securing a loan deal for Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk.
The club’s scouting department appears to be targeting Mudryk as a high‑calibre alternative to Ndiaye, hoping that the young talent can provide the pace and creativity that Tottenham have been lacking in recent matches. Meanwhile, Liverpool have entered the picture with a different angle on the market. Earlier on Monday, the Merseyside side rejected Manchester City’s £80 million bid for Cody Gakpo, signalling that they are not prepared to let the Dutch forward leave for the capital.
According to sources at Sky Sports News, Liverpool’s management is concerned about the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement for Gakpo should he depart, and they are therefore holding firm on the price. The broader transfer landscape remains dynamic.
Manchester City are reportedly still pursuing a wide forward and a central midfielder before the deadline, with the club having opened talks with Chelsea regarding a potential loan move for Enzo Fernández. The Argentine midfielder, who impressed during his loan spell at Chelsea, is seen as a versatile addition who could provide depth in both defensive and attacking midfield roles. In a recent squad reshuffle, City allowed the departures of Savio and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham earlier in the month, thereby reducing the options available to head coach Enzo Maresca on the flanks.
This strategic decision was evident in the team selection for the Friday victory over Crystal Palace, where City did not name a traditional winger on the bench. Instead, Phil Foden was deployed out wide, a move that Maresca publicly acknowledged was unconventional, as Foden is primarily a central attacking midfielder rather than a specialist winger. Across the league, Liverpool have been active as well.
They secured the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain on Monday, adding a young French talent to their attacking ranks. In addition, Victor Muñoz, who joined from Osasuna earlier in the summer, continues to integrate into the Liverpool squad, providing further options in midfield.
Tottenham, for their part, had previously shown interest in Cody Gakpo during this window before ultimately signing Savio and Marmoush. The club’s transfer strategy appears to be shifting now that the Gakpo bid fell through, with Mudryk emerging as the next target. Overall, the summer market is shaping up to be a busy period for the Premier League’s top clubs.
Manchester City’s acquisition of Iliman Ndiaye not only strengthens their wing play but also demonstrates their willingness to invest heavily in emerging talent. Tottenham’s pivot to Mykhailo Mudryk reflects a pragmatic approach to squad building, while Liverpool’s firm stance on Gakpo underscores their desire to maintain stability in their attacking lineup. As the deadline approaches, fans can expect further developments, loan agreements, and perhaps surprise signings that will influence the competitive balance heading into the new season.