Everton spent last season trying to claw its way back to respectability. Now, just as the club feels stable again, the Premier League’s biggest predators are circling one of its most dangerous players.
Iliman Ndiaye didn’t just show flashes in 2025-26 — he carried Everton’s attack through stretches where little else worked. And according to multiple reports, including from the Daily Mail, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United have all taken serious notice.
The One Player Everton Can’t Afford to Lose
Manager David Moyes is trying to build something after a period of real turbulence on Merseyside. The Friedkin Group has taken over, the financial picture is starting to clear, and the focus is on adding quality rather than tearing everything down again. But losing Ndiaye would punch a hole in that plan.
The 26-year-old Senegal international can play on either wing, through the middle, or as a second striker. He’s the kind of versatile, creative forward that elite clubs crave — and the kind of player mid-table sides rarely keep for long once the vultures arrive.
Ndiaye still has three years left on his contract, which gives Everton some leverage. But here’s where it gets complicated: the Daily Mail reports that Ndiaye has already turned down multiple offers for improved terms. That doesn’t mean he’s gone tomorrow. But it does mean he’s got his eye on something bigger.
Why Arsenal, City, and United All Make Sense
Each of those three clubs has a different need, but Ndiaye fits all of them. Arsenal wants more depth behind its forwards. Manchester City loves players who can float between positions. And United — well, United needs goals, creativity, and someone who can actually beat a defender one-on-one.
The question is whether any of them will actually test Everton’s resolve with a real bid. The Merseyside club isn’t eager to sell, and Moyes has made it clear that Ndiaye is central to his long-term plans. But when players start saying no to contracts and the biggest clubs in the league start asking questions, the math changes fast.
What Happens Next for Everton
Moyes is also chasing Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, plus reinforcements at right-back and in attack. But none of that matters much if Ndiaye walks out the door. Replacing his production — and his unpredictability — would be the hardest task of the summer for a club that’s still rebuilding its reputation.
Everton is in a delicate spot. It holds the contract, but the player holds the ambition. And if one of those big three clubs decides to make a serious push, Goodison Park could be saying goodbye to its most electric talent before the transfer window closes.
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