Credit: Imago

James Barker

Thu 26 March 2026 12:40, UK

Everton have been linked with a summer move for Stoke City winger Sorba Thomas, and he could be a bargain replacement for Iliman Ndiaye.

The immediate focus at Hill Dickinson Stadium remains on Everton’s push for a European finish this season, however, one eye must always be on the future.

David Moyes looks to be building a team that can consistently compete towards the top end of the Premier League moving forward, whilst also having a number of highly saleable assets in the side as well.

One of those is star winger Ndiaye, who has been touted for a big-money move away from Merseyside for a little while now, and will no doubt see interest arrive for him this summer too.

If he was to leave, Everton would have to hit the transfer market to replace him, and that could see Toffees chiefs turn to one of the Championship’s top performers this term: Thomas.

How do Sorba Thomas’ and Iliman Ndiaye’s stats compare?

Everton are reportedly monitoring Thomas, after Toffees scouts are understood to have brought encouraging feedback to Moyes after watching him in action for Stoke.

The 27-year-old Wales international has 10 goals and nine assists from 38 Championship games this season, made even more impressive by the fact his Potters team sit 15th in the second tier table.

Thomas is an extremely direct winger, who is always looking to take on and beat his full-back, possessing strong dribbling and ball-carrying abilities, as well as having a fantastic cross on him too.

Only Hull City’s Oli McBurnie (20) has more combined goals and assists than Thomas’ 19 in the second tier this season, and he’s also second in the league for big chances created (16), key passes per game (2.0) and expected assists (8.06) respectively, per Sofascore.

Ndiaye shares a lot of those same qualities, with both players being cut from the same cloth in regards to the dying breed of expressive, unpredictable and exciting wide players.

Thomas is significantly ahead of Ndiaye in big chances created and key passes per game this season too, albeit in the league below and having played 13 more matches.

However, Thomas has proven himself to be a top player at Championship level for a number of seasons now, with a 13-goal contribution season for Huddersfield in 2023-24, and a 15-goal contribution one for the Terriers in 2021-22 respectively.

What is Thomas’ contract situation with Stoke City?

So, given he’s in the prime of his career and with Stoke destined for another season in the Championship for 2026-27, Thomas may now be ready to test himself at Premier League level.

And whilst it may not be a signing that would get the juices flowing among Everton supporters, the Welshman could surprise a lot of people if he was to make a Merseyside move.

Upon joining Stoke in this season’s summer transfer window, Thomas penned a three-year contract in the Potteries, meaning he’s contracted there until the summer of 2028.

Therefore, he wouldn’t come totally on the cheap, but Everton also wouldn’t need to fork out a huge fee for him either, and a budget-friendly deal could surely be worked out if they take their reported interest further this summer.