Everton have Ndiaye concern as fresh transfer stance emerges
Iliman Ndiaye had been expected to take on a crucial role for Everton next season.
The former Sheffield United winger had a fantastic debut campaign on Merseyside last time out, as he notched nine goals in the Premier League.
Ndiaye has emerged as one of Everton’s main creative outlets since his move, and his importance to David Moyes has been clear to see throughout pre-season so far.
The Scot will surely have big plans lined up for the Senegal international as he targets the top half of the Premier League table, but that could now have been cast into doubt.
Everton’s Samu Lino boost is cause for concern over Ndiaye
Everton have shown an interest in signing Samu Lino from Atletico Madrid over the last few days, and they appear to have just been handed a huge boost regarding that pursuit.
The Merseysiders are keen to sign the wideman, and now it looks as though there will be few barriers to prevent them from getting their man.
Atleti are understood to be willing to listen to be welcoming an opportunity to ship the 25-year-old out, and are open to offers for him, according to Spanish newspaper AS (22 July).
This surely hands Moyes and Co. a clear and obvious opportunity to get a deal over the line, given that they are seemingly the main suitors for Lino at present.
However, their sustained interest in the Brazilian could also suggest that they are perhaps concerned about the future of Ndiaye.
Jack Harrison’s return to Leeds will understandably have left them keen to add another winger this summer, but the fact that it could be a left-sided one in Lino is a worry.
Ndiaye is the first-choice option there, but the likes of Charly Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil can provide effective cover on that flank, which makes it slightly surprising that a new option could be about to come in.
Everton can’t afford to lose Ndiaye
Everton will undoubtedly be extremely pleased with Ndiaye’s progress since his move to Merseyside, and they simply cannot afford to lose him this summer.
The 25-year-old is a huge threat with the ball at his feet, and possesses the kind of low centre of gravity that makes it extremely difficult for defenders to guess his next move.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 33 | 9 | – |
| FA Cup | 2 | 1 | – |
| EFL Cup | 2 | 1 | – |
Ndiaye was a shining light for the Toffees throughout last season, and that will inevitably attract attention from some of the Premier League’s top clubs if he continues on that trajectory this term.
With that in mind, the Lino situation may be succession planning from Everton, although they must surely hope that it is ultimately unnecessary.
Sign up for the Goodison News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Everton news sent straight to your phone.