Everton in hunt to sign ex-Sheffield United striker Iliman Ndiaye after what’s happened at Marseille
Everton are in the hunt to sign former Sheffield United striker Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille, according to Alan Nixon.
Ndiaye scored 14 goals and assisted 10 more in 46 Championship games for United last season, but he has struggled since joining Marseille.
The 23-year-old has started only eight of the French side’s 15 Ligue 1 matches so far this season, scoring once.
In an update on his personal Patreon page [16 December], Nixon said Premier League clubs are now “on red alert for a loan swoop”.
Sheffield United are said to be keeping an eye on developments, as are Premier League rivals Everton and Crystal Palace.
‘Phenomenal’
Sheffield United’s struggles since returning to the Premier League can pretty much be put down to losing star man Ndiaye in the close-season.
The Senegal international tore apart the Championship last time out, earning praise from then-boss Paul Heckingbottom for his “phenomenal” ability [The Telegraph].
Unfortunately for Ndiaye, his wish to play for his boyhood club has clearly not gone to plan so far, and it may well be that he returns to English football just five months after departing.
If there is any indication that Marseille are open to offloading Ndiaye, especially on loan, then Everton must ensure they are at the front of the queue for his signature.
While Dominic Calvert-Lewin is enjoying an injury-free run in the side – and long may that continue – Sean Dyche would happily welcome another striker to Goodison Park.
Calvert-Lewin is not exactly in great scoring form – not that it has mattered that much on the results front – whereas Ndiaye looks cut out to score in the Premier League.
If the Toffees are to truly push on in the second half of the campaign and possibly look at challenging for a top-half finish, then this is a signing that makes perfect sense.
In other Everton news, one player disappointed with a 4/10 display in the Premier League win over Burnley.