Manchester City have officially secured a transfer agreement with Everton for the talented winger Iliman Ndiaye, valued at a total of £65 million. This move comes as an alternative option for the club after earlier attempts to sign Cody Gakpo proved unsuccessful.
The negotiations between the two clubs have accelerated quickly, especially after earlier contacts regarding a potential Jack Grealish deal were already in place. The financial structure of the agreement is split into a guaranteed sum of £60 million, with an additional £5 million contingent on performance-related bonuses.
These clauses are typical in high‑profile transfers, ensuring that the selling club receives extra compensation if the player meets specific milestones such as appearances, goals, or team achievements. The transfer saga has been further complicated by the indecision of Richarlison, who has been reluctant to commit to a permanent move to Everton.
His hesitation delayed the finalisation of Tottenham Hotspur’s advanced negotiations concerning Ndiaye, which had been ongoing since the previous day. As a result, Spurs have been forced to look elsewhere for reinforcement. Their scouting department has now opened discussions with Chelsea regarding a possible loan deal for Mykhailo Mudryk, a versatile Ukrainian attacker who could provide the creative spark Tottenham need.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Liverpool turned down Manchester City’s £80 million offer for Dutch forward Cody Gakpo. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Liverpool’s hierarchy is wary of the difficulty in finding a suitable replacement for Gakpo should the transfer go through. The club’s scouting network is reportedly evaluating several alternatives, but they remain cautious about committing to a new signing before the window closes. In addition to the Ndiaye acquisition, Manchester City have outlined a broader recruitment strategy aimed at bolstering both their wide‑forward and central‑midfield options before the deadline.
The club has also entered preliminary talks with Chelsea concerning the possible acquisition of Enzo Fernández, the Argentine midfielder who has impressed with his vision and passing range. These discussions were initiated on Monday and reflect City’s intent to deepen their squad depth across multiple positions. Earlier in the month, City facilitated the departures of Savio and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham, a move that reduced the number of wing options available to manager Enzo Maresca. This decision was likely influenced by the club’s desire to free up wages and create space for incoming talent such as Ndiaye.
Interestingly, during Friday’s Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, City did not list a traditional winger among the substitutes. Instead, they started Phil Foden in a wide role, a tactical shift that Maresca openly acknowledged was unconventional, as Foden is primarily a central attacking midfielder rather than a natural wide player.
The transfer market activity extends beyond the English top flight. Liverpool, for instance, completed the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain on Monday, adding a promising French attacker to their ranks. Additionally, Victor Muñoz arrived from Osasuna earlier in the summer, further strengthening Liverpool’s squad depth.
Tottenham’s transfer agenda this window also featured interest in Cody Gakpo before they secured the services of Savio and Marmoush. Their pursuit of Gakpo demonstrates the club’s ambition to enhance their attacking options, but the failure to finalize that deal has redirected their focus toward alternative targets like Mudryk.
Overall, the Premier League transfer landscape remains highly dynamic as clubs scramble to finalize deals before the deadline. Manchester City’s £65 million investment in Iliman Ndiaye underscores their commitment to maintaining a competitive edge, while the ripple effects of this transaction are already influencing the strategies of rivals such as Tottenham, Liverpool, and Chelsea. Fans can expect further developments in the coming days as clubs negotiate loan agreements, trigger performance bonuses, and finalize paperwork to ensure their squads are ready for the second half of the season.