Everton have reached an agreement to buy Marseille forward Iliman Ndiaye, according to Football Insider sources. The 24-year-old has finished his medical with the Merseyside club, and an official transfer announcement is expected shortly. On June 25, Football Insider exclusively reported that Everton were in advanced talks with the French club, with a sum of over £20 million being discussed. Marseille has accepted Everton’s bid of roughly £20 million for Ndiaye, who has shown a strong desire to come to Goodison.
Marseille were willing to sell the striker despite the fact that his contract does not expire until 2028, and he will now be available to begin pre-season at Everton. Everton will try to increase their goal threat. Everton were the Premier League’s second lowest-scoring team last season, trailing only Sheffield United in terms of goals scored.
It’s a key area for Sean Dyche to improve in the next season, and signing a new striker ahead of pre-season will be a step in the right direction. Last season, Ndiaye scored four goals for Marseille and assisted five times. The Senegal international has previously played in England, with Sheffield United, where he scored 21 goals in 76 appearances.
It remains to be seen whether this signing will allow Dominic Calvert-Lewin to depart Goodison Park this summer, amid interest from Newcastle United. Football Insider recently revealed that if an offer is made this summer, the England international will most likely be sold to alleviate profit and sustainability concerns.
‘They made me feel desired,’ Everton announce £20 million striker deal.
Everton have signed striker Iliman Ndiaye from Ligue 1 side Marseille. The 24-year-old joins Goodison Park for a reported £20 million and has signed a five-year contract that runs until the end of June 2029. Ndiaye leaves Marseille after only one season, when he failed to fulfill his full potential, scoring four goals in 46 appearances across all competitions. The Senegal international hopes to restart his career in England after previously excelling at Sheffield United, where he scored 36 goals and assisted 14 times in 88 appearances over four years.
Ndiaye is Everton’s third acquisition of the summer transfer window, following midfielder Tim Iroegbunam and winger Jack Harrison, who has rejoined on loan from Leeds United. “I am very happy to be an Everton player,” Ndiaye told evertontv. “The major reasons I wanted to join were the club’s size, history, and the role I could play in helping the squad move forward. I’m very happy and can’t wait to get started.
Ndiaye describes how the Everton partnership made him feel ‘wanted’.Kevin [Thelwell] and the manager (Sean Dyche) both spoke with me and made me feel welcome. My Senegalese teammate Idrissa [Gueye] also took part, praising the club and saying many positive things. “As a player, I enjoy dribbling, displaying talents, and getting supporters out of their seats. I want to score goals and receive assists, but I also enjoy working hard. I enjoy running, pursuing the ball, and getting the team up the pitch. As a striker, you are the first defender. I enjoy doing that.
“I’m really excited. I want to come in and build on the team’s development from last season. I feel like I’ll be ready to help, and I simply want to give it my all to help this club move up the rankings.” When asked about his final season at Goodison Park and his hopes for the future at their new stadium, Ndiaye replied: “It’s funny because someone said to me, ‘Imagine you scoring the first goal in the new stadium’. ‘Who scored Everton’s first goal at the new stadium?’ has been a quiz topic for a long time. My daughter, who couldn’t really speak yet, said, ‘Dada’! Excellent solution! That is my objective.
“I’ll be really delighted to be a part of the final season of playing at Goodison Park. There is history here. I’m delighted to now be a part of it. “I’m very delighted to play in front of all these fans since you can hear the games on television. I’ll try to get them out of their seats, and they’ll try to push me across the pitch. “I’m just so thrilled.”
Dyche: ‘Ndiaye is a really nice addition’ Dyche expressed his satisfaction with Ndiaye’s arrival, saying: “Iliman adds versatility to our attacking options and strengthens our forward line as we look to build on the progress we made as a team last season in terms of chances created.” “He is still young but has experience at European and international level and we feel he will be a really positive addition to our squad.” Thelwell, Everton’s Director of Football, added: “Iliman is a player we have long admired, and we are happy to bring a highly sought-after player of his calibre to the club.
“We believe he will thrill Everton fans and give our attack a new dimension. He has played in Europe for large clubs like Marseille, and at 24, we are certain he will be an exceptional player for us for many years to come.” Ndiaye will seek to make an early impact under Dyche during pre-season in order to make his Everton debut in the 2024-25 Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion.
