Peter Lynch

Sun 30 July 2023 17:10, UK

Everton have been forced to deal with plenty of setbacks in recent times, and another one looks set to be incoming concerning Sheffield United striker Iliman Ndiaye.

As per Fabrizio Romano (5 July), the Toffees have been keen on signing the 23-year-old since April, with other Premier League clubs having also been monitoring the player.

He would have made a fine addition to Sean Dyche’s attacking lineup, with doubts emerging around the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin once again.

The futures of Neal Maupay and youngster Tom Cannon meanwhile are up in the air, while fellow forward Ellis Simms has already left for Coventry City.

After banging in 15 goals in all competitions last season, Ndiaye was always going to be attracting interest from the top flight and abroad.

And that interest has now turned into a done deal, with Romano posting on Twitter (30 July): “Iliman Ndiaye to Olympique Marseille, here we go! Deal sealed with Sheffield, done and agreed.

“Ndiaye will sign until June 2028 as new OM player after long, difficult talks — one more big signing. Ndiaye will arrive later today for medical tests & contract signing.”

Fortunately Everton have brought in attacker Arnaut Danjuma from Villarreal on loan, with the forward able to play both out wide and centrally.

And it could be the latter where he is utilised by Dyche, with the Toffees desperate for a regular goalscorer in the Premier League next season.

Ndiaye could, of course, have been lining up against the Toffees next time out following Sheffield United’s promotion from the Championship, but the striker looks set to have chosen Ligue 1 as his next destination.

His decision is also a major blow to the Blades, who really could have benefitted from having the hitman next season, in what is set to be a very difficult campaign for the club.

In other Everton news, a journalist has mooted EFL interest in one highly-rated Toffees youngster liked by Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez.