Manchester City has officially signed winger Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for a fixed fee of 70 million euro, plus 5,8 million euro in potential add-ons, according to club announcements. The 26-year-old Senegal international joins the Etihad Stadium side on a five-year contract after manager Enzo Maresca’s pursuit of Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo proved unsuccessful, as reported by outlets covering the transfer.
Record-Breaking Transfer Fee for Senegal
The fixed 70 million euro fee makes Ndiaye the most expensive player in Senegal football history, according to official club data. He surpasses Nicolas Jackson, who moved from Chelsea to Aston Villa for 55,5 million euro just three days prior. For Everton, the agreement marks the club’s second-highest player sale ever, sitting behind Romelu Lukaku’s 85 million euro move to Manchester United in 2017 and eclipsing Amadou Onana’s 2024 transfer to Aston Villa for 59,4 million euro, per club records.
According to BBC Sport, Everton are effectively quadrupling the initial £16m they paid Marseille two years ago for Ndiaye. However, analysis of his underlying Premier League metrics shows he ranked joint-third at Everton last season with nine goal contributions, trailing teammates Beto with 10 and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall with 12. Ndiaye created 36 chances during the campaign, ranking fourth at the club in that category behind midfielder James Garner.
Player Reaction and Squad Integration
“I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this,” Ndiaye said in a statement released by Manchester City. He described City as one of the best clubs in the world and noted he grew up watching their success. African.Football reported that the versatile forward can operate on either wing or through the middle, bringing dribbling ability and two-footed play to Maresca’s squad for the season.
Did you know? Before establishing himself in professional football through Sheffield United and Marseille, Ndiaye’s unconventional career path included trials with several London clubs as a teenager and a stint with non-League club Boreham Wood, according to African.Football.
Manchester City Director of Football Hugo Viana praised the player’s character during their initial discussions, highlighting his journey to the elite level. The acquisition forms part of City’s wider summer spending, with total club transfer expenditures expected to exceed the 500 million euro mark as deals such as Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández approach completion, according to team reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Manchester City pay for Iliman Ndiaye?
Manchester City paid a fixed transfer fee of 70 million euro, with an additional 5,8 million euro in potential add-ons, according to club statements.
What is the length of Ndiaye’s contract with Manchester City?
Ndiaye signed a five-year contract with Manchester City, joining the club after two seasons at Everton, as reported by African.Football.
Where does Ndiaye rank among Senegalese transfers?
The 70 million euro fee makes Ndiaye the most expensive player in Senegal football history, surpassing Nicolas Jackson’s recent transfer fee, per official figures.
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