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Three European giants enter the race for Tottenham target; PL rivals holding firm

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Aaryan Choksi | Last updated Oct 24, 2025 1:46 PM ET

Everton star Iliman Ndiaye tipped for pastures new in the winter as Tottenham Hotspur eye 2026 deal

Tottenham, under Thomas Frank, have looked defensively solid and compact for most parts of the season. However, the Lilywhites have lacked the same attacking spark they showed last year, largely due to the Danish tactician’s pragmatic approach. The absence of creativity in the final third has become a major concern for the North London club.

Spurs suffered a huge setback in the summer when James Maddison ruptured his ACL during a pre-season friendly. As the only natural No.10 in the squad, the England international’s injury could not have come at a worse time, leaving the Lilywhites without enough time to find a like-for-like replacement.

They did manage to bring in Xavi Simons towards the end of the transfer window, but it’s fair to say the Dutchman is still finding his feet at N17. So far, he has struggled to show that he can effectively link the midfield and attack. Frank has also experimented with Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr in the No.10 role, but both players clearly lack the creativity and vision required to be long-term solutions in that position.

Tottenham identify Everton star Iliman Ndiaye as Maddison’s replacement

Recent reports suggest Tottenham are interested in signing Everton star Iliman Ndiaye in January. The Lilywhites believe the Senegal international should be playing at the big stages regularly and are willing to give him regular game time at N17 under Thomas Frank. However, the report also adds that the Toffees are not interested in selling their key player midway through the season, and have placed an asking price of £60m for his signature.

Ndiaye has certainly made the most of his opportunity on Merseyside since joining Everton from Marseille in 2024. The 25-year-old scored 11 goals last season, quickly becoming a fan favourite at Goodison Park. He has continued that form this campaign as well, with three goals and an assist in just ten appearances across all competitions.

His consistent performances have not gone unnoticed, with several clubs across Europe now monitoring his situation. According to TEAMtalk, Juventus, AC Milan, and Atletico Madrid are all interested in signing the 25-year-old as they look to strengthen their attacks for the second half of the season. However, it remains to be seen whether any of them are willing to meet Everton’s valuation during the winter window.

Tottenham, for their part, should do everything possible to land Ndiaye in January. The Senegalese forward brings agility, determination, and the ability to dribble out of tight spaces to create chances in the final third. At just 25, he still has plenty of room to grow and could reach his full potential at N17. While the asking price may seem steep, securing his signature would be a smart long-term investment for the North London club, especially if they can fend off competition from other top European sides.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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