Manchester City target Iliman Ndiaye as Everton set £80m valuation

Manchester City have identified Iliman Ndiaye as a potential attacking target, but Everton’s £80 million valuation of the Senegal international presents a significant obstacle as the transfer window enters its final days.

The Guardian reports that City are considering Ndiaye as part of their attempt to reshape the attacking options available to Enzo Maresca following Sávio’s £75 million move to Tottenham. Everton, however, are in a strong negotiating position and have placed a substantial valuation on one of their most important forwards.

Ndiaye remains under contract at Everton until 2029, removing any immediate contractual pressure on the club to sell. That leverage is significant at this stage of the window, when interested clubs have limited time to negotiate alternatives and Everton would also need to consider the difficulty of replacing a key attacker so close to the deadline.

The 26-year-old has become an increasingly important part of David Moyes’ side since arriving from Marseille in 2024, offering Everton a combination of direct running, close control and positional flexibility across the attacking line.

His influence was again visible in Everton’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, when he supplied the cross for Thierno Barry’s goal in a 2-0 victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The performance underlined why losing Ndiaye now would represent more than a straightforward transfer decision for Everton: it would remove an established creative outlet from a team whose attacking structure is already being rebuilt.

City’s interest comes during a substantial period of squad change. Sávio has already departed for Tottenham, while City have agreed a deal worth around £34 million for Palmeiras winger Allan Elias as Maresca continues to adjust the composition of his squad.

Everton therefore have little incentive to reduce their demands. With Ndiaye tied to a long-term contract and established as a first-team regular, the £80 million valuation effectively places the burden on City to decide whether their interest is strong enough to develop into a concrete offer.

At present, no agreement between the clubs has been reported and there is no confirmed formal bid from Manchester City. The situation remains one of active interest rather than an advanced transfer, with Everton retaining control of the negotiations as the September 1 deadline approaches.