Manchester City have agreed a deal worth up to £65m with Everton for Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye, hijacking Tottenham Hotspur's move for the player. The 24-year-old is set to undergo a medical after City moved swiftly following the breakdown of their pursuit of Liverpool's Cody Gakpo. The fee comprises £60m upfront plus £5m in add-ons, according to club sources.
City's swift move after Gakpo setback
City had registered their interest in Ndiaye last week, but their attempts to sign Gakpo from Liverpool fell through. Liverpool had pulled out of an £85m deal for the Dutch forward, which opened the door for City to pivot to Ndiaye. The Senegal international had appeared destined for Spurs, who had agreed a deal in principle with Everton on Sunday.
However, the transfer stalled on Monday, with Richarlison poised to move in the opposite direction but the Brazilian releasing an emotional statement on social media, saying he would not allow his future to be decided for him. Richarlison is cold on a move to Everton and is currently expected to stay at Spurs.
Spurs turn to Mudryk, Chelsea face Fernández interest
Tottenham have moved on to other attacking targets and, in a surprise development, are poised to sign Mykhailo Mudryk on loan from Chelsea. The Ukraine winger, who is free to play again after his doping ban was resolved earlier this summer, played under Roberto De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk and favours a reunion with the Spurs manager. Leeds and Brentford have also contacted Chelsea about Mudryk.
Chelsea are set for a busy end to the window and have finally been contacted by City about Enzo Fernández. The Argentina midfielder wants to leave and has his heart set on a move to City. Fernández has a close relationship with City's manager, Enzo Maresca, who left Chelsea earlier this year.
Chelsea's price and potential replacements
Chelsea set a price of £120m for Fernández earlier this summer and may push for a higher fee with the deadline drawing close. Another consideration for the Stamford Bridge club as they face up to losing one of their biggest players is the need to improve their squad. Chelsea have sounded out Roma's Manu Koné and Monaco's Lamine Camara. They have been met with resistance with attempts to sign Bournemouth's Alex Scott while Crystal Palace want to keep Adam Wharton. Chelsea are tracking Morgan Gibbs-White but know Nottingham Forest are unlikely to sell at this stage.
Everton, meanwhile, have little time to find a replacement for one of their most important players before the transfer window shuts on Tuesday night. The deal for Ndiaye, who has been a key figure for the Toffees, leaves them scrambling to reinforce their squad ahead of the deadline.
