Everton transfer news: Door open for Iliman Ndiaye hijack as Sheffield United talks with Marseille on brink of collapse
Everton look to have been handed a late opportunity to get back into the race for Sheffield United striker Iliman Ndiaye, with his move to Marseille on the brink of collapse.
The Blades have been in negotiations with the Ligue 1 side over the 23-year-old forward through July, although the Toffees have been “keen on signing him” this summer since April according to Fabrizio Romano (5 July).
They had also been after the Senegal international, who scored 14 Championship goals last season and assisted 11 more, during the winter transfer window, with L’Equipe reporting on 27 January a €23million bid had been made [£20m].
Ndiaye turned down a Goodison move at the time but is set to leave Bramall Lane this summer amid financial issues at the newly-promoted side [Daily Mail, 18 March], and with just a year left to run on his contract.
The Toffees have been fruitlessly chasing a new striker this summer, with Rodrigo’s mooted bargain move from Leeds United lost when the Spaniard took an offer to head to Qatar, and with various bids apparently made for Almeria’s El Bilal Toure.
But just as it appeared the Sheffield United man might be out of their reach the latest update has opened the door to take over proceedings if the money is reallocated.
Romano reported via Twitter on Monday afternoon (17 July): “Iliman Ndiaye and Olympique Marseille deal could definitely collapse soon. No agreement at this stage so deal is now getting difficult.
“Ndiaye could stay at Sheffield.”
Unless he is going to sign a new Blades contract they are likely going to need to sell him somewhere this window, and if he is now open to an Everton side that are not yet embroiled in a relegation battle this deal could have legs.
If the Toffees have been trailing him for the best part of the last year it looks like they’ve got another late opportunity.
In other Everton news, another club may “have to offload” their “talisman” scorer amid interest from Goodison Park as another chance has opened up for Sean Dyche.