Manchester City have finalized a £65 million agreement with Everton to bring the Senegalese winger Iliman Ndiaye to the Etihad Stadium, presenting a fresh alternative to the club's pursuit of Dutch forward Cody Gakpo. The deal, which has been negotiated swiftly following earlier contact between the two clubs over a potential Jack Grealish move, is structured with a guaranteed £60 million fee and an additional £5 million in performance‑related bonuses.
The transfer saga has been complicated by a number of side‑issues involving other Premier League teams. Tottenham Hotspur, for instance, saw their advanced negotiations with City over Ndiaye stall after Richarlison hesitated to confirm a permanent switch to Everton.
That delay forced Spurs to broaden their search for attacking reinforcements, prompting them to open discussions with Chelsea about a possible loan deal for Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk. Meanwhile, on Monday Liverpool rebuffed Manchester City’s £80 million offer for Cody Gakpo, a move that had been widely reported as a priority for the capital club.
According to sources at Sky Sports News, Liverpool’s decision reflects concerns about their ability to secure a suitable replacement for the Dutch international should they let him depart. The rejection leaves City still in the market for a versatile wide‑forward and a central midfielder before the summer transfer window shuts. In parallel with the Ndiaye acquisition, City have also signalled interest in Chelsea’s midfield talent Enzo Fernández. Negotiations with the Blues began earlier in the week, indicating that the Sky Blues are actively shaping a new core of players to sustain their domestic dominance and European ambitions.
The club’s recent roster adjustments include allowing forwards Savio and Omar Marmoush to join Tottenham earlier in the month, a move that has reduced the number of wing options available to head coach Enzo Maresca. Tactically, City’s approach to the winger position has already shown signs of evolution. In their recent Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, Maresca opted not to name a traditional winger among the substitutes, instead deploying Phil Foden—typically a central midfielder—as an out‑wide threat at Selhurst Park. This unconventional deployment underscores the manager’s willingness to experiment with player roles in order to maximise the squad’s fluidity.
Elsewhere in the league, Liverpool have been busy bolstering their own attacking options. The Reds secured the signature of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain on Monday, adding a young, pace‑driven forward to their ranks.
Earlier in the summer they also completed the signing of Victor Muñoz from Osasuna, further expanding their depth on the flanks. Tottenham, having missed out on Gakpo during this transfer window, turned their attention to other targets after signing Savio and Marmoush. Their pursuit of Mudryk from Chelsea reflects a broader trend among top clubs to acquire young, technically gifted wingers capable of influencing games both domestically and in continental competitions.
The broader context of these moves highlights the intense competition for talent in the Premier League as clubs race to finalize their squads before the deadline. Manchester City’s willingness to spend £65 million on Ndiaye demonstrates their commitment to maintaining a high‑tempo, attacking style of play, while also ensuring they have adequate cover for potential injuries or form dips among existing wide players.
Looking ahead, the impact of Ndiaye’s arrival will be closely watched. Known for his explosive pace, dribbling ability, and eye for goal, he offers City a fresh dimension on the left side of the pitch.
If he adapts quickly to the rigours of English football, he could become a key component in Pep Guardiola’s evolving tactical blueprint, providing a reliable outlet for quick transitions and stretching opposition defences. In summary, Manchester City’s £65 million acquisition of Iliman Ndiaye marks a significant development in the club’s transfer strategy, complementing ongoing talks for midfield reinforcement and reflecting the broader market dynamics that see Premier League giants jostling for elite talent.
As the window draws to a close, fans can expect further announcements and possibly last‑minute deals that will shape the composition of squads for the upcoming season.