Ndiaye reveals he snubbed Tottenham for City to chase Champions League glory

Iliman Ndiaye has spoken candidly about the transfer chaos that preceded his £65m move to Manchester City, revealing that when Pep Guardiola’s side came calling he never seriously considered the alternative — a switch to Tottenham Hotspur.

City completed the deal for the 26-year-old Senegal international in the final hours of the January window after a convoluted search to replace Omar Marmoush. The club initially pursued Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo, switched focus to Ndiaye days before the deadline, then reverted to Gakpo — only to circle back to Ndiaye after Liverpool refused to sell. That uncertainty opened a window for Tottenham, who moved quickly and had Ndiaye lined up for a move to north London, with Richarlison set to head back to Everton as part of the arrangement.

But when Liverpool held firm on Gakpo, City returned for Ndiaye and the player made his preference clear.

“There was no stress or no panicking,” Ndiaye said after making his debut in a 1-0 win over Coventry. “I always say whatever comes, comes. God decides your future, it’s already written. I was just being patient and when City came through I was buzzing.”

Ndiaye, who found it difficult to leave Everton, said his conversations with his wife had always centred on one condition for any move. “If I had to leave Everton it would be somewhere where I know I would be playing Champions League,” he explained. “For me it was always going to be City. I wanted Champions League and playing at one of the best teams in the world. I’m not saying Tottenham is not but when Manchester City comes through you don’t say no.”

The forward, who joined Everton from Marseille, arrives at the Etihad with a point to prove at the highest level. He described the move as the realisation of long-term ambition rather than a snap decision forced by circumstance, and capped his first week at the club with three points on his debut.

“This is where I think I belong,” he added. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point.”