Ndiaye to Tottenham for £60m: Former OM flop revived by Spurs after City interest

Iliman Ndiaye is poised to join Tottenham from Everton for around £60 million, according to Fabrizio Romano. Discussions between the two clubs are well advanced, and the deal could be accompanied by Richarlison returning to Everton as part of a separate arrangement.

The Senegalese international was also on Manchester City’s radar in recent days. The Citizens had identified him as a priority offensive target, with Everton valuing him at around £80 million. But since City moved closer to Cody Gakpo, Tottenham accelerated and took a decisive lead.

For OM supporters, Ndiaye’s trajectory is bound to stir some regrets. Arriving at Marseille in summer 2023 with high expectations, the Rouen native never managed to establish himself: just 4 goals in 46 matches across all competitions, including 3 in Ligue 1. His return to England changed everything. In his first season at Everton, he scored 9 goals in 33 Premier League matches, then 6 goals and 3 assists the following season — enough to shed the flop label and regain market value.

He would be arriving at a club in turmoil. Despite summer recruitment valued at around £320 million, Tottenham lost their opening two Premier League matches: 3-0 to Brentford, then 2-0 to Newcastle, without scoring a single goal. Roberto De Zerbi himself acknowledged his squad’s limitations after the Newcastle defeat: “You cannot buy mentality in the transfer market.” The Italian manager also confirmed that Richarlison, Kevin Danso and Pape Matar Sarr had asked to leave the club.

In this turbulent context, Ndiaye could become one of the new faces of a Tottenham still searching for identity, with the chance to take another step forward after his revival at Everton.