Credit: Manh Tung

Josh Edwards

Thu 26 March 2026 18:10, UK

Iliman Ndiaye’s form at Everton has attracted interest from Man United ahead of the summer window.

Everton are well and truly in the race for European football next season, and a lot of that is down to the form of Ndiaye throughout the campaign.

The Senegal international has six goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, having started all 25 of the games he has been available for.

However, with Man United keen on a deal for Ndiaye, The Friedkin Group must be prepared for their biggest challenge yet over the next few months.

Friedkin’s reputation is on the line at Everton this summer

Everton have been nowhere near where they should be for years, and this season is their chance to make some serious progress on that.

However, regardless of what they can or cannot achieve in the current campaign, it will all come crashing down in the summer if they let their key players leave.

That is not just Ndiaye, but also the likes of James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite, both of whom have been linked with exits.

But in this case, Ndiaye really is their number one indispensable, and his exit cannot be sanctioned under any circumstances.

He’s not a player that can be replaced, and with Everton looking to become a regular competitor in European football, selling him to a rival would do nothing but weaken their chances.

Everton have a clear priority this summer

Their success this season will come at a cost, in terms of elite clubs sniffing around for their players.

And Everton just need to hold firm on their regular starters before any of their other recruitment plans come into place.

Progression starts with retaining your top talents, whether that be Ndiaye or not, and selling them does nothing but set you back.

TFG have to get that aspect of the summer window right, or else there will be consequences.