Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign Iliman Ndiaye from Everton in a major late move that sees Maresca’s side secure one of the Premier League’s most versatile attacking players. The agreement, worth a potential £65 million, includes a £60m fixed fee and a further £5m in add-ons, with personal terms already agreed and the Senegal international now authorized to undergo his medical.
The transfer represents a significant piece of business for City as the deadline day approaches, with negotiations accelerating rapidly after secret contacts between the clubs were reactivated. The 26-year-old attacker is now at the paperwork stage of the move, and his medical is expected to take place on Tuesday morning before the final formalities are completed.
Manchester City reach agreement for Ndiaye
The deal has moved remarkably quickly after reports of renewed contact between Manchester City and Everton emerged earlier in the day. What initially appeared to be a developing possibility has now become an agreement in principle, with both clubs reaching common ground over the structure of the transfer.
Everton have agreed to accept £60m up front for their forward, while another £5m could be earned through performance-related add-ons, taking the maximum value of the package to £65m. Personal terms have also been settled, meaning the remaining work is largely centred on the medical, paperwork and completion of the transfer.
Ndiaye has received permission from Everton to travel for his medical, providing another clear indication that the move is approaching its final stage. Barring an unexpected problem during the medical or with the documentation, the Senegal international is expected to become a Manchester City player.
The agreement is particularly notable because City had previously kept their interest relatively quiet, with the latest negotiations described as secret contacts that were reactivated before ultimately producing a breakthrough. That approach appears to have allowed City to move quickly when the opportunity to sign Ndiaye became realistic.
Why Manchester City wanted Iliman Ndiaye
The attraction of Iliman Ndiaye lies partly in his versatility, because the Senegal forward is capable of operating in several attacking positions and can offer City another option across the frontline. His ability to combine movement, technical quality and direct running gives Maresca greater flexibility when managing a squad competing on multiple fronts.
City have traditionally valued attackers capable of moving between positions rather than remaining fixed in one role, and Ndiaye fits that profile. His arrival should therefore give Maresca another player capable of contributing from wide areas while also moving centrally when the structure of an attack demands it.
At 26, Ndiaye also arrives at an age where he can immediately contribute rather than being viewed solely as a long-term project. City will expect him to adapt quickly to the demands of playing for a side competing for the Premier League, Champions League and domestic honours.
The financial commitment underlines the confidence City have in his ability to make that transition. A £60m guaranteed fee represents a substantial investment, while the additional £5m in achievable bonuses gives Everton the possibility of receiving an even larger return.
Jack Grealish future remains separate
The arrival of Iliman Ndiaye does not directly determine the future of Jack Grealish, with negotiations over the England international continuing separately from the agreement between City and Everton.
Everton and Manchester City are understood to be well into discussions over Grealish, while Aston Villa have also renewed their interest in bringing their former player back to the club. Villa reportedly contacted City again on Monday after making a similar approach the previous week, adding another layer of intrigue to the closing stages of the transfer window.
Grealish’s future is therefore expected to be resolved soon, but his situation should not be confused with Ndiaye’s transfer. The Senegal forward is completing his move to City independently, while the discussions surrounding Grealish remain ongoing.
That distinction is important because the final hours of the deadline day period can produce several interconnected deals, particularly when clubs are attempting to reshape their attacking options before the window closes.
Ndiaye transfer adds another attacking option for City
For Manchester City, completing Iliman Ndiaye transfer represents an ambitious move at a crucial point in the window. The club have identified an attacker they believe can provide additional quality and tactical flexibility, while Everton are set to receive a significant fee for one of their important players.
The medical will now be the immediate focus, followed by the final paperwork required to register the transfer. With personal terms and the club-to-club agreement already in place, the major obstacles appear to have been cleared.
Ndiaye’s move also demonstrates how dramatically the final hours of a transfer window can change the landscape for clubs and players. Earlier uncertainty has now given way to an agreement, and the Senegal international is on the verge of beginning a new chapter at the Etihad.
For City supporters, the expectation is now straightforward: complete the medical, finish the paperwork and welcome a new attacking option to Maresca’s squad. With the deadline day pressure intensifying, Manchester City have moved decisively to secure Ndiaye, turning a previously quiet pursuit into one of the window’s biggest late deals.
