Ndiaye set to bolster City's wide options
Manchester City are on the verge of completing a deal worth up to £65m for Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, a move that would give Enzo Maresca a much-needed wide threat. The Senegal international is expected to undergo a medical on Tuesday, with personal terms understood to be in place.
The fee is structured at £60m guaranteed, with a further £5m in potential add-ons for the 26-year-old. It is a significant outlay for a player whose attacking numbers don't quite match the price tag.
City's pursuit of Ndiaye came after a move for Liverpool's Cody Gakpo stalled, with an £80m bid rejected. Tottenham had also shown interest in the former Marseille man.
The Blues' need for a winger has been glaring. Savinho and Omar Marmoush were both allowed to join Tottenham during the summer, and Friday's 4-1 win at Crystal Palace saw Phil Foden start out wide, with no recognised winger on the bench. Ndiaye, who can play on the left or through the middle, offers Maresca another genuine option in those areas.
He's comfortable receiving possession in congested areas, can beat opponents one-on-one and is willing to carry the ball towards defenders rather than simply move it on.
That profile is what City are buying. In two completed seasons at Everton, Ndiaye scored 15 Premier League goals, but his real value has always been in changing the tempo of an attack. At Goodison, he was often the sole source of inspiration. At City, he'll be surrounded by considerably more quality.
He arrives proven in English football and at an age where his best years should be ahead of him. Whether that justifies the outlay will depend on how quickly he adapts to a side expecting more than just a spark.