Deal done on deadline day
The ink was barely dry on Allan's arrival from Palmeiras when Manchester City confirmed another addition to Enzo Maresca's forward line. Iliman Ndiaye has swapped Everton for the Etihad, with the Senegalese international putting pen to paper on a five-year deal that keeps him in Manchester until the summer of 2031.
The move, announced ahead of the 23:00 transfer deadline, sees City pay an initial £60 million with a further £5 million in add-ons, according to Sam Lee and Jessica Hopkins of The Athletic.
A player who wanted the move
Ndiaye made no secret of where his heart lay once City came calling. "It's easy to make the decision about whether you want to be at Manchester City or not," he told the club's official website.
"You can see the recent history; you want to be part of that project. They talked to me about where we could go, what we could achieve with me in the team, and I was interested from the beginning."
That enthusiasm is understandable. For a player who has spent considerable time in England, watching City become the dominant force in the domestic game has been a long-running lesson in what success looks like.
"There was nothing else that I wanted other than joining Manchester City," Ndiaye added. "Obviously, you want to be part of this new project. I've seen recently what they've been doing, and I feel like I will fit right in it. I'm super excited to start."
Versatility and fit
Maresca is getting more than just a winger. Ndiaye can operate on either flank, through the middle, or dropping off a striker — a flexibility that should prove useful across a long season. His willingness to work without the ball ought to endear him to his new manager quickly, while his dribbling ability matches what Maresca demands from his wide men.
The 26-year-old arrives with an important role in mind. This is a new era at City, and Ndiaye is intent on being part of the story. The chance to forge his own legacy while carrying on the club's recent success proved too good to turn down.
The attacking picture now looks complete. Allan gives Maresca another right-sided option, and Ndiaye brings a proven Premier League pedigree. City's business is done — and the new era has its fresh faces.