Everton star Iliman Ndiaye is a summer transfer target for north west rivals Manchester United. The Senegal international is believed to be among several players the Red Devils are monitoring ahead of a big summer of transfer business.
Why are United targeting a move for Ndiaye?
The 26-year-old has been a sensation for the Toffees since joining the Merseyside club from Marseille for a fee of around £17m in the summer of 2024.
After impressing for Sheffield United in the Championship, a move to OM in the summer of 2023 didn’t quite work out. Marseille’s loss was Everton’s gain, as Ndiaye has mesmerised defenders with his quick feet and excellent dribbling skills. In fact, Ndiaye is considered one of the best dribblers of the ball in the Premier League.
@premierleague Could watch Iliman Ndiaye all day 🤩 @Everton #PremierLeague ♬ original sound – Premier League
In 26 Premier League appearances this season, Ndiaye has produced six goals and three assists. Those numbers are not exactly world-beating, but arguably, they would be higher if he played in a more attack-minded team, with Toffees boss David Moyes often criticised for his pragmatic approach to the game.
Whether he is judged on his goal contributions or not, there is something special about the former Sheffield United star, who is a cult hero at Everton. Ndiaye has never expressed a wish to leave the Merseyside club and seems to have built a good rapport with the club’s supporters.
United are looking to build for next season
The Red Devils’ season has seen an incredible turnaround since the arrival of interim boss Michael Carrick. The men from Manchester have gone from strugglers to third-place in the table in a matter of months.
There is still work to be done to seal Champions League qualification for next season. However, they are in a healthy position to qualify for European football’s biggest competition for next season.
If United qualify for the Champions League, they will have extra funds to strengthen their squad, which, in its current state, is short on both quality and quantity to give a good account of themselves among European football’s elite.
Ndiaye would certainly offer them quality and something different from the players currently in the United squad. However, the Red Devils are also believed to be interested in signing RB Leipzig starlet Yan Diomande.
Ndiaye may not be easy to sign
While it seems to be the general consensus that Ndiaye will be easier to sign than Diomande this summer, Ndiaye may not be easy to sign either.
Everton is no longer in the same fragile financial state as in previous years. The club’s owners have secured the club’s future, and the Toffees are under no pressure to sell their star players. They can now choose to sell players rather than having to.
As previously mentioned, the player seems happy on Merseyside and has a good relationship with the fans. If he wanted the move, he would likely have to submit a transfer request, which would sour the rapport he has with the Toffees’ faithful.
Only time will tell if Manchester United’s interest in Ndiaye materialises, or not. However, for now, the talented forward will be concentrating on helping Everton qualify for continental football next season.