Man City Agree £65m Iliman Ndiaye Deal as Tottenham Miss Out

Manchester City have moved decisively to secure Iliman Ndiaye from Everton in a deal worth £65m, dealing Tottenham a serious setback in the process. According to TeamTalk, City have now agreed terms with Everton and the player, with the transfer effectively complete pending the final formalities.

The 26-year-old had been in discussions with Spurs, and there was a growing expectation in north London that progress was being made. That changed when City accelerated their interest after failing to land Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. TEAMtalk report that “the deal is now done”, and that Ndiaye is “set to undergo his medical in the North West rather than North London”.

From City’s side, the message appears clear. Ndiaye was not a late panic option, but a player who “remained firmly on their radar throughout the summer transfer window”. Once the opportunity presented itself, they acted quickly and with conviction.

Ndiaye Chooses Man City

One of the most significant details in this development is the player’s preference. TEAMtalk state, “once Ndiaye became aware of Man City’s renewed interest, he made it clear to Everton that he wanted to join Enzo Maresca’s side ahead of Spurs.” That is often the decisive factor in deals of this level, and it seems to have been exactly that here.

Everton had been “progressing talks with Tottenham”, but those discussions were halted when City made fresh contact. For Spurs, that will sting. For City, it underlines their ability to enter the market late and still land their chosen target.

Tottenham Turn to Alternatives

The report adds that “The Ndiaye agreement represents a significant blow for Tottenham”, and attention has already shifted elsewhere. Spurs are now said to be exploring “a loan deal for Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk” while also holding talks over Tosin Adarabioyo.

There is another layer to monitor, too. TEAMtalk note that “The deal is separate to Jack Grealish’s proposed move to Everton”, although that switch is still expected to progress independently.

Our View

As a pleased Manchester City supporter, this is exactly the sort of update you want to see. £65m is a major fee, but Ndiaye feels like a player with the pace, directness and confidence to give City something slightly different in the final third. If the recruitment team believed he was the right fit, and if the player himself made it clear he wanted City, then that matters.

There is also something encouraging in the way this appears to have been handled. City missed out on one attacking target, regrouped quickly and still got a deal over the line for a player they clearly admired. That shows clarity and readiness in the market.

From a supporter’s perspective, beating Tottenham to the signing adds another layer of satisfaction. When a player has options and chooses your club, it says plenty about the pull of the project. Ndiaye has already shown in the Premier League that he can unsettle defenders and carry the ball with purpose.

If he arrives and settles quickly, this could be one of those signings that looks expensive at first and smart by the end of the season. City needed another attacking option, and this report suggests they have landed one with conviction and without hesitation.

Source: TeamTalk