Manchester City are considering an £80 million bid for Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, putting the Toffees under pressure to decide whether to keep or sell the Senegal international before the transfer window closes.
According to Sacha Tavolieri, City have held internal discussions and spoken with intermediaries as they consider whether to make a formal offer for Ndiaye.
Why Manchester City Want Iliman Ndiaye
City's pursuit has been driven by the loss of attacking options. Savio has completed an £85 million move to Tottenham, while Omar Marmoush is set to follow after agreeing a loan deal with an obligation to buy worth £60 million next summer.
With two attacking options departing under Enzo Maresca, City's recruitment staff have identified Ndiaye as a leading target.
City's scouts have watched Ndiaye operate across the forward line all season, playing on the left, the right and through the middle.
He started all 32 of his Premier League appearances, scoring six goals and providing three assists, while his pressing intensity also appears well suited to Maresca's system.
Why Everton Value Iliman Ndiaye at £80m
Everton are reportedly valuing Ndiaye at around £80 million, with his importance to the side and three years remaining on his contract supporting that figure. With no release clause, the club are under no obligation to accept an offer.
Everton have made it clear throughout the summer that they do not want to sell. David Moyes has been explicit about wanting to keep the forward, and the club's position has consistently been that he is not for sale.
But according to TEAMtalk, Ndiaye's position has complicated matters: he has rejected multiple offers to sign a new contract, with his camp keen for any new deal to include a release clause.
Ndiaye's refusal to extend leaves Everton with a more complicated long-term decision, despite the protection provided by his existing contract.
Holding firm would allow them to keep a key player but could risk losing him for less in the future. Accepting a bid close to their valuation, meanwhile, would leave the club with little time to find a replacement. That difficulty is one reason the Toffees have resisted selling.
A player-plus-cash deal has also been discussed as a possible way to bridge the valuation gap, with reports suggesting Jack Grealish could be included in any proposal.
Everton, Aston Villa and Sunderland have all been linked with the Sky Blues winger, although his involvement in the proposed deal remains speculative.
Arsenal are also monitoring Ndiaye's situation and could enter the race if they miss out on other attacking targets.
Will Manchester City Make a Formal £80m Bid for Ndiaye?
The next step is for City to decide whether to turn their interest into a formal offer. If one arrives before the transfer window closes, Everton will face a difficult decision over their stance on Ndiaye.
Selling Ndiaye would leave Everton with little time to find a replacement before the transfer window closes. Keeping him, meanwhile, would mean retaining a key player who has rejected offers to extend his contract.
For City, a move would add another versatile attacking option following the departures of Savio and Marmoush.
Ndiaye's Premier League experience would give Maresca another established and versatile option in attack. City must now decide whether to turn their interest into a formal bid and Everton must decide how much it would take to change their long-standing position.
