PL Title Chasers Eye £75m World Cup Star

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

PL Title Chasers Eye £75m World Cup Star

Originally posted on Essential Football | By J Johnson | Last updated Aug 6, 2026 9:31 AM ET

One of the most underrated attacking players in the Premier League could soon be on the move. Everton won’t let him go without a fight, but their hand could be forced nonetheless.

Manchester City’s interest in Iliman Ndiaye hasn’t disappeared, even if a transfer looks difficult at this stage. Football Insider reports that a source close to the Premier League giants has confirmed Enzo Maresca’s side continue monitoring the Everton attacker while Al-Hilal press ahead with their own pursuit.

City’s recruitment team admire the Senegal international, yet the club have no intention of matching Everton’s £75 million valuation.

That price has shaped the story. Everton hold a strong position and don’t need to negotiate from weakness under The Friedkin Group’s ownership.

Football Insider adds that City could still enter the race later in the window if circumstances shift, although there is no suggestion that an offer is imminent. Manchester United had already explored Ndiaye as a possible attacking addition earlier in the summer, viewing his versatility as a major strength, though their interest never developed into a concrete move.

Why Iliman Ndiaye transfer news has drawn major attention

Ndiaye earned himself plenty of admirers through his individual performances for Everton rather than headline numbers alone. He certainly passes the eye test.

During the 2025/26 Premier League season, he scored six goals and supplied three assists in 32 appearances, while producing 103 progressive carries and completing 87% of his passes. Those figures reflected his influence in an Everton side that often relied on him to drag attacks forward.

Watch him for 90 minutes and a different picture emerges. He doesn’t stay glued to one flank or wait for possession. Instead, he slips into pockets, beats defenders in tight areas and keeps driving at retreating back lines.

Add his career-high 70 tackles from last season and it becomes clear why leading clubs value his work without the ball as much as his creativity with it. Such a trait is becoming more and more important in the modern game. It’s a trend that isn’t going away any time soon.

What Iliman Ndiaye transfer news means for Manchester City

Maresca’s system rewards players who can solve problems in different ways. Ndiaye offers exactly that. He can attack centrally, drift wide, carry possession through pressure and press aggressively after losing the ball.

If Savinho leaves before the transfer window closes, having been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, those qualities become even more relevant.

Money changes everything, though. Manchester City have drawn their line well below Everton’s £75 million asking price because they don’t view Ndiaye as a signing worth that outlay for a rotational role.

Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal possess far greater financial freedom, while Everton remain comfortable keeping one of their most influential players.

Right now, City’s interest feels genuine, yet admiration alone won’t bridge a gap of that size. They’ll need to offer him some serious playing time if they want to secure a move for the Senegalese international this summer.

This article first appeared on Essential Football and was syndicated with permission.

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