Manchester City have finalized a £65 million agreement with Everton to bring the Senegalese winger Iliman Ndiaye to Etihad Stadium, presenting an alternative option to the club's earlier pursuit of Cody Gakpo. The transaction, which has been moving quickly after earlier negotiations between the two clubs regarding Jack Grealish, is structured as a £60 million guaranteed fee supplemented by an additional £5 million in performance‑related bonuses. The backdrop to this deal involves a series of interconnected moves across the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur, who had been in advanced discussions with City about acquiring Ndiaye, saw those talks stall after Everton’s forward Richarlison hesitated to confirm a permanent switch to the Merseyside side. That hesitation gave Spurs little time to secure Ndiaye before the window’s deadline, prompting the North London club to explore other possibilities. In particular, Tottenham have opened preliminary negotiations with Chelsea concerning a potential loan arrangement for Ukrainian talent Mykhailo Mudryk, hoping the young winger can add pace and creativity to their attacking line‑up. Meanwhile, Liverpool have been actively defending their own transfer interests.
Earlier on Monday, the Reds turned down City’s £80 million offer for Dutch forward Cody Gakpo, a player Liverpool have been keen to retain. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Liverpool’s decision stems from concerns about the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement for the Dutch international should he eventually depart. The club’s scouting department is reportedly monitoring several candidates, but they have yet to identify a direct like‑for‑like swap.
Manchester City’s broader transfer strategy this summer appears focused on bolstering both flanks and the midfield engine room before the deadline looms. In addition to the Ndiaye signing, the Citizens have entered discussions with Chelsea about the possible acquisition of Enzo Fernández, the Argentine midfielder who impressed at Chelsea during his loan spell. City’s sporting director Enzo Maresca has indicated that adding a creative central midfielder would complement the attacking talent already on the roster and provide depth for the demanding schedule ahead.
The club’s recent activity also includes the departure of two fringe players, Savio and Omar Marmoush, who both moved to Tottenham earlier in the month. Their exits opened up space on the wings, but City have not yet named a specialist winger on the bench for their recent Premier League victory over Crystal Palace. Instead, manager Pep Guardiola opted to start Phil Foden in a wide role, a decision Maresca publicly acknowledged was unconventional, noting that Foden is traditionally a central attacking midfielder rather than a traditional winger. Elsewhere in the league, Liverpool have been busy strengthening their squad as well.
On Monday, they secured the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain, a young French forward known for his speed and technical ability. Earlier in the summer, the Reds also added Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, further expanding their options on the flanks.
These moves underline Liverpool’s intent to maintain a competitive edge despite the loss of interest in Gakpo. Tottenham’s transfer agenda this window has been particularly fluid. After their initial focus on Gakpo, the club pivoted to sign Savio and Marmoush, both of whom now feature in City’s squad.
The shift in targets reflects the fast‑moving nature of the market, where clubs must adapt quickly to the availability of players and the strategic priorities of rivals. In summary, Manchester City’s £65 million acquisition of Iliman Ndiaye marks a significant development in the ongoing summer transfer saga.
The deal not only provides City with a dynamic wide‑forward capable of stretching defenses, but it also triggers a cascade of reactions across the Premier League, influencing Tottenham’s search for alternatives, Liverpool’s defensive stance on Gakpo, and potential negotiations involving other high‑profile names such as Enzo Fernández. As the window draws to a close, fans can expect further activity and strategic maneuvering as clubs finalize their squads for the upcoming season.