Al-Hilal Closing in on Iliman Ndiaye Transfer from Everton

Al-Hilal are closing in on a deal for Iliman Ndiaye after reaching agreement on personal terms with the Everton star, with only the transfer fee now standing between the Senegal international and a move to the Saudi Pro League.

The Saudi giants have tracked Ndiaye throughout the summer window, sensing an opportunity as his future at Goodison Park has grown increasingly uncertain. At 26, and two seasons into his Everton career following a £15million switch from Marseille, he has developed into one of the Premier League’s most watchable attacking talents. That kind of rise always attracts suitors. Al-Hilal have decided to act.

The pressure has been building for months. Ndiaye has made it clear he wants to leave and has turned down several new contract offers from Everton since the start of the year. That stance has shifted the balance of power. Everton know they are fighting a losing battle to keep him; their priority now is to maximise the fee.

Talks between the clubs are under way, with sources indicating Al-Hilal are pushing hard to get the deal over the line quickly. Personal terms are no longer an issue. Ndiaye and Al-Hilal have an agreement in place, and the Saudi side are described as “pretty hopeful” of completing the transfer. The sticking point is the price.

Everton’s position is clear. Ndiaye is one of their crown jewels and they want a fee that reflects that status. Since arriving in 2024, he has produced 17 goals and three assists in 71 appearances, numbers that only tell part of the story of his importance. He carries the ball, breaks lines, changes the tempo of attacks. When Everton need a spark, they look for him.

Lose that, and something fundamental changes in David Moyes’ attacking blueprint.

The club are already planning for life without him. Moyes will need another creative force if, as now seems likely, Ndiaye departs before the window closes. Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has revealed that the Toffees are keen on Bologna’s Jonathan Rowe as a potential replacement.

Rowe, an England youth international, comes off a strong season in Serie A, where he scored eight goals and supplied four assists in 43 games. He is not a like-for-like copy of Ndiaye, but he fits the same broad profile: young, inventive, with the capacity to grow into a leading role rather than simply fill a gap.

Everton’s challenge is obvious. Al-Hilal have money, momentum and a player who wants the move. The Merseyside club have a contract, a valuation and a squad that may soon be missing its most inventive attacker. Somewhere between those competing needs, a final fee will be found.

When it is, one question will define Everton’s season: can they turn the loss of their star man into the spark for a smarter rebuild, or will Ndiaye’s exit mark the moment the creative heart of Moyes’ side finally gave way?