Everton may have unearthed Iliman Ndiaye successor as youth footage emerges

Everton may only need to concern themselves with a short-term Iliman Ndiaye replacement.

The 26-year-old winger has been a superb player for the Toffees since joining from Marseille in the summer of 2024.

He's provided 17 goals and four assists in 73 competitive Everton appearances, but he may soon be heading for the exit door.

Manchester City are being widely linked with a deadline-busting move for the Senegalese international.

Depending on how quickly that deal goes through, David Moyes may need to dip back into the market to find extra cover down the right.

But the academy exists for a reason too, and perhaps the pathway to Everotn's first-team should be made clear for one teenager in particular.

What did Jonathan Nsangou do for Everton's U-18s vs Reading?

Moyes has been urged to keep a close eye on Nsangou in recent times, with the 16-year-old winger turning heads at Finch Farm.

He's already represented both Poland and England at youth international level, whilst he's also eligible to play for Cameroon through his father.

Should he continue to perform how he did for Everton's Under-18s against Reading this week, then he'll have all those nations clamouring for his committment.

As shown in an Instagram post from The Secret Scout, Nsangou netted a first-half hat-trick in Everton's 5-0 Premier League U18s Cup win over Reading on Thursday.

All three of his goals came from inside the Royals' box, with the first two showing real predatory instincts in front of goal.

His hat-trick-securing strike was the pick of the bunch, as he made a darting run from deep inside Reading's half to make himself available for a through ball.

Nsangou drove into the box before cutting back on his left, beating two Reading defenders in the process before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

It was his close control and ability to drive into the box that showed clear similarities to Ndiaye, and he's evidently a player with plenty of potential.

So, what is his contract situation at Everton?

How Everton made shrewd Nsangou contract call this summer

As detailed via the Liverpool Echo, Everton signed 11 new players to their Under-18s squad in July on scholarship contracts.

One of those was Nsangou, after impressing Finch Farm decision-makers when he even stepped up to Under-21 level as a 15-year-old.

It's standard for scholarship contracts in English academy football to run for two years, so Everton should have the young forward tied down for the foreseeable.

Players can sign professional contracts when they turn 17, which for Nsangou, will be on 16 January 2027.