Everton Set £69m Price Tag on Iliman Ndiaye Amid Manchester United Interest
Everton are ready to slam the door on Manchester United’s interest in Iliman Ndiaye by slapping a huge price tag on one of David Moyes’ key forwards.
United, fresh from handing Michael Carrick the reins on a permanent basis after he steered them back into the Champions League, are moving quickly to reshape the squad. Midfield is the headline act – with Ederson set to arrive from Atalanta – but the attack is next in line, and Ndiaye has moved firmly onto their radar.
He is not alone. A deal for Brentford striker Igor Thiago is being worked on, while Liverpool are also watching Ndiaye closely. Both clubs want a left-sided attacker. Both see the 26‑year‑old as a flexible, high-ceiling option.
Everton see something else: a cornerstone they cannot afford to lose.
A contract stand-off and a sky-high price
Ndiaye’s situation has given suitors a glimmer of hope. The Senegal international, preparing for the World Cup, is locked in a contract stand-off at Goodison Park, having rejected multiple offers over the past year. He has three years left on the deal he signed after arriving from Marseille for just £15m in 2024, but he is refusing to commit again unless a release clause is built in.
That hesitation has encouraged United and Liverpool to circle. Everton’s response has been to reach for the deterrent.
According to The Athletic, the club intend to place a “prohibitive valuation” on Ndiaye and will not even pick up the phone for less than around £69m (€80m / $92.7m). The benchmark is clear: Anthony Gordon’s £70m move from Newcastle United to Barcelona. If Gordon can command that fee, Everton argue, then so can their own wide forward.
The message is blunt. If anyone wants to test their resolve, it will cost them.
Moyes digs in over key forward
Behind that stance stands Moyes. The Scot knows he may have to sacrifice players this summer to balance the books and refresh his squad, but Ndiaye is the one he is determined to ringfence.
Speaking in April, Moyes did not hide his feelings.
“He is the last person I would consider selling,” he said, underlining just how central the Senegalese forward has become to his plans. “There are others as well [that I wouldn’t want to sell], but my point is I have no interest in hearing the talk if there is talk out there.
“But it is getting too hard to build teams and also supporters are looking for a quick return, which managers are not getting. So why would we be giving up their better players?”
For Moyes, the logic is simple: you do not rip out the players you are trying to build around.
Versatility that attracts the elite
Ndiaye’s appeal is obvious. Last season he spent most of his time on the right wing for Everton, but he still managed to feature 11 times on the left. Across the campaign he produced six goals and three assists, numbers that only tell part of the story.
He stretches defences, drifts between the lines, and gives coaches options. For United and Liverpool, both hunting a left-sided attacker who can move across the front line, that versatility is gold dust.
For Everton, it is exactly why they are digging in.
Carrick’s recruitment plan at Old Trafford will not hinge on one name. Ndiaye is just one of several wingers under consideration as United prepare for a season on multiple fronts. The question now is whether anyone believes he is worth testing that £69m barrier – or whether Everton’s hard line has already done its job.
