Ndiaye's journey from non-league football to £65m Man City move
Retold by Oddsrama · 1 September 2026
Manchester City have completed the signing of Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye from Everton on deadline day, with the deal valued at £65m—comprising an initial £60m plus £5m in performance-based add-ons. The 26-year-old has penned a five-year contract at the Etihad, capping a remarkable rise from the seventh tier of English football just over six years ago. Ndiaye's arrival came after a dramatic collapse of a potential Tottenham move; Spurs had agreed terms with Everton on Friday night, but the deal fell through when Richarlison failed to agree personal terms with his former club.
During his spell at Everton, Ndiaye made 74 appearances and contributed 21 goals since arriving from Marseille in 2024, establishing himself as one of the Premier League's most entertaining dribbles. Last season, he was responsible for 73 of Everton's 250 completed dribbles—the highest share of any top-flight player. However, analysts have questioned whether the £65m fee represents genuine value. His underlying numbers tell a more mixed story: he ranked only joint third at Everton for goal contributions with nine, while 45 Premier League players have recorded more goal contributions since his Everton debut.
Ndiaye's creativity figures also raise eyebrows. He created just 36 chances in the Premier League last season, ranking fourth at Everton alone—midfielder James Garner created 26 more, and even injured Jack Grealish managed eight additional chances. In a transfer window marked by inflated fees, Everton have nearly quadrupled the £16m they paid Marseille two years ago, though a player with such elite ball-carrying ability should flourish alongside City's superior attacking talent. For bettors monitoring City's odds and performance this season, Ndiaye's impact will depend heavily on whether his dribbling prowess translates to more decisive final-third contributions—a test that could reshape City's attacking potency.
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