Everton can sign Iliman Ndiaye on cut-price deal with Sheffield United under transfer embargo
Everton have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Sheffield United striker Iliman Ndiaye, with the Championship club currently under a transfer embargo, according to YorkshireLive.
The Toffees reportedly had an offer turned down for the forward in January, but look set to reignite that interest this summer under new boss Sean Dyche.
However, according to the Sunday Mirror on 12 March, Everton find themselves in a battle with Premier League rivals Newcastle and West Ham for his signature.
Sheffield United are reluctant to lose their star man, but the club are currently under a transfer embargo that permits new contracts to be offered.
The Blades are also the subject of a takeover that is still awaiting approval from the English Football League.
Ndiaye has netted 11 goals from his 36 Championship matches this season, as well as chipping in with seven assists. His contract at Bramall Lane expires in June 2024.
Everton in hot pursuit of striker
Born in France, Ndiaye has opted to represent Senegal at international level and featured for his nation at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The striker most recently found his name in the news with a winner against Tottenham Hotspur in the fifth round of the FA Cup earlier this month.
His recent displays for club and country have caught the eye of various Premier League sides, but it is perhaps Everton who need him more than most given their struggles in the final third this season.
In fact, the Toffees find themselves joint-rock bottom of the goals scored list, level with Southampton and Wolves on just 20 goals.
A severe injury to leading striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been the main reason behind the drought, with Everton set to turn to Championship attacker Ndiaye on a cut-price deal in the summer.
Perhaps the Blades’ only hope of keeping the Senegal international at the club is if they can secure promotion to the Premier League, with Sheffield United in a strong position to do just that as they sit second in the table.