Manchester City have officially announced the acquisition of winger Iliman Ndiaye for a reported total fee of £65 million. The structure of the agreement includes a guaranteed £60 million payment to his former club, with an additional £5 million available through performance-related bonuses. Ndiaye, who was also on Tottenham Hotspur's radar, has committed himself to a five-year contract with the Premier League champions, signaling a long‑term investment in his talent. In a related move, Jack Grealish has headed back to Everton on a season‑long loan that will see him finish the final year of his contract with City while gaining regular first‑team football.
The loan arrangement allows Grealish to re‑establish himself in a familiar environment and gives Everton a quality attacking option for the upcoming campaign. Meanwhile, a separate negotiation involving Joshua Zirkzee fell through when Manchester United turned down Everton's proposal to take the forward on loan. According to Sky Sports News, Everton were prepared to cover a total package of roughly £10 million for Zirkzee, which would have included his wages for the season plus a loan fee, but United were not convinced. Ndiaye's arrival comes at a time when Manchester City are still active in the market.
Earlier this week Liverpool rejected an £80 million offer from City for Dutch striker Cody Gakpo, indicating that the Merseyside club remains keen to retain their key forward despite interest from the capital. Sky Sports also reported that Liverpool were wary about their ability to replace Gakpo should they eventually let him go.
The Citizens have been targeting both a wide‑area attacker and a central midfielder as the transfer window draws to a close. Their pursuit paid off on deadline day with the signing of Enzo Fernández from Chelsea in a joint‑British record deal, further bolstering their midfield options.
At the same time, City have allowed Savio and Omar Marmoush to depart for Tottenham, which has slightly reduced the depth of Enzo Maresca’s wing options. In the recent Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace, City did not list a traditional winger on the bench. Instead, they opted to start Phil Foden in a more advanced role on the flank, a decision that prompted Maresca to note that Foden is not a conventional winger but was deployed wide to exploit his versatility.
Speaking after his signing, Ndiaye expressed his excitement about joining one of the world’s most successful clubs. "I have worked my whole life for an opportunity like this," he said. "City are among the best clubs on the planet and I have watched them lift every major trophy as I grew up.
To be able to write my own chapter in such a storied history is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance, and I am determined to seize it with both hands." He continued, "It hasn’t always been easy in my career, but I always believed I could play for a team that competes for the biggest prizes, and now I am here. It feels amazing. I love to play with the ball on the ground in an attacking side that wants to score as many goals as possible. That’s why I know this is the perfect fit for me." City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, praised the new signing, stating, "Iliman is a very talented footballer.
He has worked incredibly hard to reach this level and, in my first conversation with him, it was immediately clear how grounded he is and how determined he is to become the best player he can be. I have no doubt City supporters will be thrilled to see him in action for us." The addition of Ndiaye marks the seventh summer signing for Manchester City, underscoring the club’s commitment to maintaining a deep, high‑quality squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.
His versatility as a winger, combined with his ability to operate in various attacking positions, provides manager Pep Guardiola with additional tactical flexibility. The club’s recent activity, including the high‑profile acquisition of Enzo Fernández and the strategic loan of Grealish, demonstrates a balanced approach of strengthening the first team while managing player development and squad balance. Everton, on the other hand, will be hoping that Grealish’s return adds creativity and experience to their attack, while the failed loan bid for Zirkzee highlights the challenges the club faces in securing affordable talent. The dynamic between the two Merseyside clubs and the capital’s giants continues to shape the narrative of this transfer window, with each side making calculated moves to improve their squads ahead of the demanding season ahead.
Fans of both clubs will be watching closely as the new signings integrate into their respective teams, and the impact of these transactions will become clearer as the Premier League campaign unfolds. The transfer market remains a crucial battleground, and Manchester City’s ability to secure top talent like Ndiaye while navigating loan deals and rejected offers illustrates their strategic depth and financial muscle in the modern game.