Iliman Ndiaye has completed a £65m move to Manchester City from Everton, capping a remarkable rise from non-league football to the Etihad Stadium in just over six years. The deal is structured at £60m guaranteed plus £5m in add-ons, with the 26-year-old Senegal winger signing a five-year contract after deadline-day drama that saw Tottenham’s earlier agreement with Everton collapse.
A Scenic Route to the Top
Ndiaye’s path to the Premier League champions was far from linear. At 19, while in the youth setup at Boreham Wood and playing Sunday league in London, he earned a one-week trial at Sheffield United. Two trial games convinced the Blades to sign him, though it took another 18 months before he featured for the first team.
To gain experience, he spent the second half of 2019–20 on loan at Hyde United in the Northern Premier League, six tiers below the top flight, making six appearances in his first taste of senior football. He often stayed late on the training pitch, risking missing the last train back to Sheffield.
After returning to Bramall Lane, Ndiaye made his Premier League debut in March 2021 against Leicester City, but only became a regular at the highest-level following Sheffield United’s relegation and two seasons in the Championship. In 2022–23, he was instrumental in their promotion, scoring 14 goals in 43 starts, which earned him a move to Marseille.
A difficult season in France preceded his £16m transfer to Everton in July 2024, where he quickly became a fan favourite under the nickname “Skiliman”. Across 67 Premier League games for the Toffees, he recorded 15 goals and four assists before his City switch.
Deadline-Day Drama and City’s Big Summer
Ndiaye had held talks with Al-Hilal earlier in the summer, and Tottenham had agreed terms with Everton on the Friday before deadline day, initially expecting a separate deal involving Richarlison moving to Goodison Park. When Richarlison failed to agree personal terms with his former club, Spurs’ move for Ndiaye fell through, opening the door for Manchester City to gazump with their £65m offer.
The transfer was confirmed on the same day City agreed a joint British record £125m fee for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, as manager Enzo Maresca continued a busy rebuild. Ndiaye becomes City’s eighth summer arrival, joining a list that includes Elliot Anderson, Geronimo Rulli, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Allan Elias, Jeremy Monga and Pierce Charles.
Why £65m? Skill, Dribbling and Potential Upside
In a market of inflated transfer fees, assessing value is complex. On one side, Ndiaye offers elite dribbling and ball-carrying ability: last season he completed 73 of Everton’s 250 successful dribbles, the highest share of any Premier League player. His evasive style, pace and flair make him a constant threat in one-v-one situations.
Everton supporters might argue the club could have pushed for more, pointing to deals like Savio’s £75m move to Tottenham as a benchmark. Yet, from City’s perspective, they are paying for a 26-year-old with Premier League proof, who has already shown he can score and create in England’s top flight.
Statistically, Ndiaye’s underlying numbers are not yet elite. In 2025–26 he managed just six goals and three assists in 32 league games, with only nine total goal contributions for Everton last season, behind teammates Beto (10) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (12). He created 36 chances in the league, ranking fourth at Everton; James Garner created 26 more, and even the injury-hit Jack Grealish (on loan at Everton) created eight more.
Since his Everton debut two years ago, 45 Premier League players have recorded more goal contributions than Ndiaye’s 19. However, moving into a more attacking City system, surrounded by higher-quality creators, could unlock another level in his output. In that context, £65m for a proven Premier League dribbler with room to grow may prove a shrewd piece of business rather than an overpay.
