Earlier this week we reported that Iliman Ndiaye and Richarlison could still move in opposite directions. The new development is different: Manchester City have agreed a £60m deal with Everton to buy Ndiaye, and the offer could rise by another £5m in add-ons. City turned to him after an approach for Cody Gakpo was rebuffed by Liverpool.
City's late switch
That is a quick change of direction even by deadline-day standards. City had gone after Gakpo, were turned away by Liverpool, and have now settled on Ndiaye as the window tightens.
The move also fits the scale of City's spending this summer. Their outlay is already past £300m, which tells you this was never a quiet rebuild. Ndiaye's case is strong enough on its own terms, too. He has a 7.26 Premier League rating for Everton this season, has made only 2 league appearances, and has already delivered 1 Premier League goal contribution.
Everton's next moves
Everton are not waiting around after agreeing to sell. They have advanced in talks with City to bring back Jack Grealish, who was on loan at Hill Dickinson Stadium last season, and they are also closing in on Kenny Tete from Fulham.
Ndiaye had rejected multiple offers for a new contract from Everton, so the sale was always likely to set off more movement. Grealish has made just 1 Premier League appearance this season, which is part of why Everton's interest makes sense. The club are trying to turn one sale into two or three fresh decisions before the deadline closes.
The one unresolved thread is Richarlison's situation. He said he was left out of Tottenham’s matchday squad for the 2-0 home loss to Newcastle after, as Roberto De Zerbi put it, he asked to leave too many times. Richarlison then pushed back hard, saying: "After everything I’ve been through in the last few years, I’ve decided that never again will anyone decide my future for me," and adding that he remains under contract at Spurs and will stay at the club’s disposal.
City have their target, Everton have their sales plan, and the Grealish talks are moving. The deadline-day story now sits with whether those Everton negotiations turn into completed deals before the window shuts.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
