Iliman Ndiaye completes Man City switch with Enzo Fernandez set to follow
Iliman Ndiaye has joined Manchester City from Everton for £60m after the FA Cup winners hijacked Tottenham’s attempt to sign him.
The Senegal forward said it was the “chance of a lifetime” to join City after agreeing a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Ndiaye, whose transfer fee could rise by another £5m in add-ons, took City’s summer spending past £300m, with a potential £125m to follow after they agreed a deal with Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez.
The former Sheffield United player had rejected multiple offers of a new contract with Everton, who will make a big profit after signing him from Marseille for £15m two years ago.
Ndiaye believes his style of football will make him a perfect fit for City, saying: “I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this.
“City are one of the best clubs in the world and I’ve seen them win everything as I’ve grown up. To be able to write my own chapter in a story that special is the chance of a lifetime and I’m determined to grab it with both hands.
“It’s not always been easy in my career, but I always had the belief that I could play for a team challenging for the biggest prizes and now I’m here. It feels so good.
“I love to play with the ball on the floor in an attacking team that wants to score as many goals as possible. That’s why I know this is the perfect fit. City fans can rest assured that I will give my all to bring more success to this incredible club.”
City turned to Ndiaye after having an approach for Cody Gakpo rebuffed by Liverpool and as they looked for replacements for Savinho and Omar Marmoush, who both joined Tottenham.
City director of football Hugo Viana said: “Iliman is a very talented footballer. He’s had to work incredibly hard to reach this level and in my first conversation with him it was immediately obvious how grounded he is and the determination he has to be the best player he can be.
“I’ve no doubt City fans will get a thrill seeing him in action for us. We know this club develops players. We make a commitment to every single player we sign that we will make them better footballers.
“I am really excited to see the level Iliman can reach in the years ahead because I know for sure working with Enzo [Maresca, the manager] and his staff is going to ensure he becomes a top-class Premier League player.”
Everton were trying to replace Ndiaye by signing Jack Grealish from City. They had been talking with Tottenham about separate deals in which Richarlison would return to Merseyside and Ndiaye would go to the North London club before City intervened.
In his time at Everton, Ndiaye entered their history by scoring their last ever goal at Goodison Park.
