Manchester City have finalized a £65 million agreement with Everton to bring winger Iliman Ndiaye to Etihad Stadium, presenting a fresh alternative to the club’s earlier pursuit of Dutch forward Cody Gakpo. The negotiations have progressed rapidly, largely because talks between City and Everton have already been underway regarding a separate deal for Jack Grealish.
This pre‑existing dialogue appears to have paved the way for a swift conclusion on the Ndiaye transaction. The financial structure of the agreement is split into a guaranteed £60 million fee, with an additional £5 million earmarked for performance‑related bonuses. Those bonuses are likely tied to appearances, goals, assists, and possibly the club’s success in domestic and European competitions.
By securing Ndiaye for a total of £65 million, Manchester City have added a dynamic, pace‑driven option to their attacking roster, while Everton receive a substantial influx of cash that can be reinvested in their squad or used to balance the books. The transfer saga has been complicated by the indecision of Brazilian forward Richarlison, who has been reluctant to commit to a move to Everton. His hesitation stalled Tottenham Hotspur’s advanced negotiations with City concerning Ndiaye, which had been in motion since the previous day.
As a result, Tottenham have been forced to explore alternative targets, prompting the North London club to open discussions with Chelsea about a potential loan deal for Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk. Mudryk, known for his explosive speed and technical ability, could provide Spurs with the creative spark they have been seeking. Meanwhile, on Monday, Liverpool turned down Manchester City’s £80 million offer for Cody Gakpo.
According to sources at Sky Sports News, Liverpool’s decision reflects concerns over their ability to replace the Dutch striker should he depart. The club appears cautious about losing a proven goal scorer without a clear successor already identified, which has left the Gakpo negotiation in a state of limbo. In the broader context of the Premier League transfer market, Manchester City are actively pursuing both a wide forward and a central midfielder before the summer window shuts. In addition to the Ndiaye deal, City have opened talks with Chelsea regarding the possible acquisition of Enzo Fernández, the Argentine midfielder who impressed during his spell at the Italian club.
Should that deal materialize, City would further reinforce their midfield depth, complementing the creative talents of Kevin De Bruyne and the emerging influence of Phil Foden. Earlier in the month, City permitted two of their fringe attackers, Savio and Omar Marmoush, to join Tottenham on permanent transfers. Those moves reduced the number of wing options available to City’s head coach Enzo Maresca, prompting the club to look outward for reinforcements. Indeed, the decision to start a match against Crystal Palace without a traditional winger on the bench—opting instead to place Phil Foden, traditionally a central attacking midfielder, on the flank—underscored the urgency of addressing the wide‑area shortage.
Maresca himself acknowledged that Foden is not a natural winger, highlighting the tactical adjustments the team has been forced to make. Elsewhere in the league, Liverpool have been busy as well.
They secured the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain on Monday, adding a versatile forward with a reputation for intelligent movement and technical skill. In addition, Victor Muñoz arrived from Osasuna earlier in the summer, bolstering the club’s defensive options. These signings reflect Liverpool’s intent to refresh their squad after a season that fell short of expectations. Tottenham’s transfer activity this window has also been noteworthy.
The club initially targeted Cody Gakpo, hoping to add a proven Premier League scorer to their ranks. However, after the Gakpo pursuit stalled, Spurs turned their attention to Savio and Marmoush, securing both players to strengthen their attacking depth. The loan interest in Mykhailo Mudryk now represents Tottenham’s continued ambition to acquire high‑calibre talent capable of making an immediate impact. Overall, the summer market has been characterised by a flurry of negotiations, strategic pivots, and a clear willingness among top clubs to spend significant sums to secure key players.
Manchester City’s £65 million investment in Iliman Ndiaye signals their commitment to maintaining a competitive edge on both domestic and European fronts. By adding a quick, skillful winger, they aim to diversify their attacking patterns, giving manager Pep Guardiola more options to stretch opposition defences. The deal also illustrates the interconnected nature of Premier League transfers, where a single decision—such as Richarlison’s hesitation—can ripple across multiple clubs, influencing loan talks, alternative targets, and even the timing of other high‑profile bids. As the transfer window draws to a close, fans can expect further developments, with clubs like Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Chelsea continuing to fine‑tune their squads.
Whether through permanent signings or strategic loan arrangements, the race to assemble the most balanced and potent rosters remains the defining storyline of this summer’s football market.