Manchester City have officially announced the acquisition of Senegalese winger Iliman Ndiaye for a reported total fee of £65 million. The structure of the agreement consists of a guaranteed £60 million payment to his former club, with an additional £5 million available through performance‑related bonuses. Ndiaye, who was also linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, has committed his future to the Sky Blues by signing a five‑year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2029.
In a parallel transaction, Manchester City have allowed Jack Grealish to head back to his former side Everton on a season‑long loan. The arrangement sees Grealish spend the 2024‑25 campaign in Liverpool, effectively covering the final year of his contract with City. The loan move is expected to give the England international regular playing time after a difficult spell in Manchester, while also providing Everton with a proven Premier League talent at a reduced cost.
Meanwhile, a separate negotiation involving United forward Joshua Zirkzee fell through. Everton reportedly offered Manchester United a package worth roughly £10 million, which would have covered Zirkzee’s wages for the season and included a modest loan fee. United, however, declined the proposal, leaving the Dutch striker to remain at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future. Ndiaye’s arrival comes on the heels of Liverpool’s decision to turn down City’s £80 million bid for Dutch forward Cody Gakpo.
Sky Sports News has reported that Liverpool were uneasy about the likelihood of securing an adequate replacement for Gakpo, which may have influenced their refusal to sell. The rejection of the Gakpo offer underscores the increasingly competitive nature of the summer market, as top clubs vie for limited elite talent. Manchester City have been active on multiple fronts as the transfer window draws to a close. In addition to securing Ndiaye, the club confirmed a joint‑British record deal for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, which was finalized on deadline day.
The Spanish‑born playmaker, who impressed during his spell at Chelsea, now joins Pep Guardiola’s side in what is expected to be a marquee signing for the midfield. Earlier in the month, City facilitated the departures of Savio and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham, thereby freeing up space on the wings and giving Enzo Maresca more flexibility in his squad selections. The tactical implications of these moves were evident in City’s recent Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace, where the manager opted not to name a traditional winger on the bench. Instead, Phil Foden – traditionally a central midfielder – was deployed on the flank, illustrating Guardiola’s willingness to experiment with player positions in pursuit of tactical balance.
Speaking after his medical, Ndiaye expressed the personal significance of the move: "I have worked my whole life for an opportunity like this. City are one of the best clubs in the world and I have watched them win everything as I grew up. To be able to write my own chapter in a story that special is the chance of a lifetime and I am determined to grab it with both hands.
It hasn't always been easy in my career, but I always believed I could play for a team challenging for the biggest prizes, and now I'm here. It feels so good. I love to play with the ball on the floor in an attacking team that wants to score as many goals as possible.
That's why I know this is the perfect fit." His remarks highlight both his admiration for the club’s recent successes and his eagerness to contribute to its attacking philosophy. City’s Director of Football, Hugo Viana, added his perspective on the signing: "Iliman is a very talented footballer. He's had to work incredibly hard to reach this level and in my first conversation with him it was immediately obvious how grounded he is and the determination he has to be the best player he can be.
I have no doubt City fans will get a thrill seeing him in action for us." Viana’s comments underline the club’s belief that Ndiaye’s character and work ethic will complement the existing squad culture. The transfer window remains a dynamic period for the Premier League, with clubs like Manchester City balancing the acquisition of youthful exuberance and proven experience.
Ndiaye’s addition provides City with a versatile attacker capable of stretching defenses, while the loan return of Grealish offers Everton a creative spark for the upcoming season. As the market continues to evolve, fans can expect further developments, especially as clubs assess the impact of their recent signings during pre‑season preparations and early league fixtures. Overall, Manchester City’s strategic moves – securing a promising winger, finalising a record‑breaking midfield signing, and managing outgoing talent – illustrate a clear intent to maintain their dominance domestically and to mount a serious challenge in Europe. The integration of Iliman Ndiaye into a squad already brimming with talent will be closely watched, as supporters hope his pace, dribbling ability, and goal‑scoring instinct will add a new dimension to the team’s already potent attack.