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The transfer carousel has delivered Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City following a whirlwind of deals, broken agreements and unsuccessful pursuits.
Ndiaye has officially signed a contract believed to be worth an initial $81.3 million (£60 million), with an additional $6.8 million (£5 million) available through performance bonuses. In a market where fees for Premier League wingers have soared dramatically, City appear to have secured reasonable value for the former Everton man, even if he remains an unproven quantity at the highest level.
The 26-year-old, who has committed to the Etihad Stadium until 2031, occupies that uncertain territory of a player who dazzles the eye test while producing modest statistics. Ndiaye is a captivating presence on the pitch, all elastic movement and cheeky nutmegs as he single-handedly propels Everton forward. Yet, concrete output has proven elusive.
A return of six goals and three Premier League assists last season falls short of expectations. While the context of operating within David Moyes' notably conservative setup must be acknowledged, three Everton teammates outscored Ndiaye in 2025–26 and another three contributed more goal involvements.
Nevertheless, given the turbulence that preceded Ndiaye's arrival at the Etihad, City may well be content with this fallback option.
"I've worked my entire life for a chance like this," the player stated, adding that he considers City the "perfect fit" for his abilities and approach. "I love to play with the ball on the ground in an attacking side that wants to score as many goals as possible."
Welcome to City, Iliman 🩵 pic.twitter.com/u3WWUpVQOg
How Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton Merry-Go-Round Ended With Ndiaye at Man City
To untangle this saga, we must trace it back to Cody Gakpo. The Liverpool winger had been City's primary target for much of the transfer window, with Enzo Maresca reportedly prepared to approve a $108.3 million (£80 million) offer for a player who endured a deeply disappointing campaign last term.
Tottenham Hotspur had also been monitoring the surprisingly coveted Dutchman and were compelled to shift their attention to Ndiaye once Gakpo's preference for City became apparent. Spurs have enjoyed a lavish transfer window, but rather than splashing further large fees, their key bargaining chip this time came in the shape of Richarlison.
The former Everton forward was expected to be included as part of the exchange for Ndiaye, completing a reunion that appeared to benefit everyone involved. However, as Richarlison revealed through a series of candid social media posts, those negotiations ultimately collapsed.
"My intention was to return to the place where I was very happy, yes, but the negotiations only unfolded in the way certain people wanted, and it will no longer be like that," the Brazilian wrote on Monday evening. "Despite all this chaos, I am under contract at Spurs and will remain available to the club."
City identified the opening and moved swiftly to secure a player who, having turned down several contract extensions, was clearly seeking a departure from Everton. Through a chain of events largely disconnected from his own circumstances, Ndiaye now finds himself at the most dominant English club of the past decade rather than the side that finished 17th in each of the last two seasons.