Manchester City have finalized a £65 million agreement with Everton to bring winger Iliman Ndiaye to the Etihad Stadium, presenting a fresh alternative to the club's earlier pursuit of Dutch striker Cody Gakpo. The negotiations between the two clubs have accelerated considerably, building on earlier talks that also involved a potential swap for Jack Grealish.
The structure of the deal is straightforward: City will pay Everton a guaranteed £60 million up front, with an additional £5 million available through performance‑related bonuses that could be triggered by appearances, goals, or other milestones. The transfer saga has been further complicated by the indecision of Liverpool forward Richarlison, who has yet to commit to a move to Everton. His hesitation stalled a series of advanced discussions that Tottenham Hotspur had been conducting about Ndiaye since the previous day. With Richarlison still on the fence, Tottenham have been forced to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements.
The North London club has now opened preliminary talks with Chelsea regarding a possible loan deal for Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk, hoping to secure a creative option before the window shuts. Meanwhile, on Monday, Liverpool turned down Manchester City's £80 million offer for Cody Gakpo, signaling that the Merseyside side remains cautious about replacing the Dutch forward should he eventually depart.
Sources close to the club told Sky Sports News that the Blues are concerned about the availability of suitable replacements and are weighing their options carefully. In other transfer news, Manchester City continue to chase a wide forward and a central midfielder as the deadline approaches.
Earlier in the week, the club entered discussions with Chelsea about a possible acquisition of Enzo Fernández, the Argentine midfielder who impressed during his spell at the London club. City have also been active in the market by allowing Savio and Omar Marmoush to move to Tottenham earlier in the month, a decision that has narrowed Enzo Maresca's tactical choices on the flanks.
During City's recent Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, the manager opted not to include a traditional winger on the bench. Instead, Phil Foden – a versatile midfielder whom Maresca has openly admitted does not naturally play as a winger – was deployed out wide at Selhurst Park, illustrating the tactical flexibility the team is willing to employ when necessary. 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 promising young attacker to their ranks. Additionally, Victor Muñoz arrived from Osasuna earlier in the summer, further bolstering the squad's depth.
Tottenham's transfer strategy this window has been a mix of ambition and pragmatism. The club initially targeted Cody Gakpo before ultimately signing Savio and Marmoush, indicating a shift in priorities after the Dutch forward proved elusive. With the window now in its final days, Spurs are likely to continue scouting for affordable yet impactful talent to strengthen their attacking options.
Overall, the Premier League transfer market remains a whirlwind of negotiations, counter‑offers, and strategic pivots. Manchester City’s acquisition of Iliman Ndiaye not only adds a dynamic winger to their arsenal but also reflects the club’s broader intent to refresh the squad ahead of a demanding season. The £65 million fee, split into a £60 million guaranteed sum and a £5 million bonus package, underscores City’s willingness to invest heavily in talent that aligns with their playing philosophy. As the deadline looms, fans across England will be watching closely to see how their clubs finalize their rosters.
Whether it’s City’s pursuit of a central midfielder, Liverpool’s efforts to replace Gakpo, or Tottenham’s search for a new wide player, the next few days promise to deliver a flurry of announcements, loan deals, and perhaps a few surprise signings that could shape the competitive landscape of the Premier League for the upcoming campaign. For those interested in following the latest developments, live Premier League tables and streaming options remain readily available, and the excitement surrounding the transfer window continues to build as clubs race against the clock to secure their targets before the summer registration period closes.