Manchester City have officially announced the acquisition of winger Iliman Ndiaye for a total fee of £65 million. The structure of the agreement includes a guaranteed payment of £60 million, with an additional £5 million contingent on performance-related bonuses. Ndiaye, who was also a target for Tottenham Hotspur, has committed to a five‑year contract with the Etihad side. In a parallel move, Jack Grealish has headed back to his former club Everton on a season‑long loan that will occupy the final year of his contract with City.
The loan arrangement gives Everton the services of the England international for the upcoming campaign while allowing City to free up a valuable squad spot. Meanwhile, a separate negotiation involving Manchester United fell through when United declined Everton's proposal to take Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee on loan.
According to Sky Sports News, Everton had offered a package worth roughly £10 million, which would have covered Zirkzee's wages for the season in addition to a loan fee, but United chose not to proceed. Ndiaye's arrival at the Etihad follows a recent rejection by Liverpool of City’s £80 million overture for Cody Gakpo.
Sky Sports reports that Liverpool were uneasy about their ability to secure a suitable replacement for the Dutch forward, which left the club reluctant to part with Gakpo for the proposed sum. City have been active in the market this summer, aiming to reinforce both the wide areas and the midfield before the transfer window shuts.
Their most headline‑grabbing move was the joint‑British record signing of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández on deadline day, a deal that underscored the club’s ambition to remain competitive on all fronts. Earlier in the month, City allowed forwards Savio and Omar Marmoush to move to Tottenham, a decision that narrowed the options available to manager Pep Guardiola for wing play. This was reflected in the line‑up against Crystal Palace, where City did not feature a traditional winger on the bench and instead deployed Phil Foden – a player Guardiola has described as a versatile attacker rather than a pure wide man – in a more advanced, wide position at Selhurst Park. Speaking after his medical, Ndiaye, now the seventh summer signing for Manchester City, expressed his excitement about the new chapter in his career.
He said: "I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this. City are one of the best clubs in the world and I’ve 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’m determined to grab it with both hands. It’s not 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." City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, echoed the enthusiasm, noting: "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." The signing of Ndiaye is part of a broader strategy by Manchester City to maintain depth across the squad while injecting fresh talent capable of thriving under Guardiola’s demanding style of play.
By securing a young, dynamic winger with a proven record in Ligue 1, City aim to add pace, creativity, and goal‑scoring potential to an already potent attacking unit that includes the likes of Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez. While the transfer market continues to evolve, the club’s focus remains on building a balanced roster that can compete on domestic and European fronts. The addition of Enzo Fernández in midfield and the arrival of Ndiaye on the flanks suggest a clear intent to refresh the squad without compromising the core that secured recent Premier League titles. Everton, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on Grealish’s return, hoping his experience and flair can help the club improve its standing in the league.
The loan deal also provides Grealish with regular playing time, something that had become scarce during his tenure at City. The failed loan move for Zirkzee highlights the competitive nature of negotiations even for temporary deals, with clubs weighing financial commitments against squad needs. United’s decision to decline Everton’s offer indicates a belief that Zirkzee either does not fit their immediate plans or that they prefer to retain the option of a permanent transfer elsewhere. Overall, the summer transfer window has delivered significant moves for Manchester City, reinforcing their status as one of Europe’s elite clubs while also illustrating the intricate web of loan agreements and negotiations that define modern football business.
Fans can anticipate a new season where fresh faces like Iliman Ndiaye will strive to make an immediate impact, adding to the club’s relentless pursuit of trophies.