Al Hilal Just Beat Manchester United to Another Transfer Target. And It Might Happen Again.

Manchester United’s summer transfer window just got a lot more complicated. Again.

Al Hilal has opened talks with Everton to sign Iliman Ndiaye. That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who reported Saturday that negotiations are still early but very real. The Saudi club already beat United to Crysencio Summerville earlier this window, and now they’re circling back to poach another name from the same shortlist.

Ndiaye, a 26-year-old Senegal international who can play on either wing, scored six goals with three assists in the Premier League last season. He’d previously made it known that a move to Old Trafford was something like a dream scenario for him. United has admired him for a while. But admiration and action are two different things right now.

The Rashford Problem

Here’s the complicating factor: Marcus Rashford is still at United. He’s making £17.5 million a year, and the club hasn’t been able to move him yet. There’s been chatter linking him to AS Roma, with one report out of Italy suggesting he could even be used as a piece in a deal for midfielder Manu Koné. But nothing is done. And until something is done, United’s hands are tied on making serious offers for guys like Ndiaye.

That’s become a pattern this summer. Rival clubs see United sitting there waiting on clarity about Rashford’s future, and they just step in and get the deal done. Summerville was one. Now Ndiaye could be another.

Romano was pretty explicit about one thing: any deal for Ndiaye depends on Everton. Not on Ndiaye himself. The Toffees have to want to sell. Al Hilal needs to bring a number that makes Everton say yes, not just a number that fits the buying club’s budget. Same goes for United if they ever actually get around to bidding.

The Saudi Factor

Al Hilal reportedly wants one more marquee signing after locking up Summerville. Ndiaye is high on that list. And Saudi clubs don’t mess around when they decide they want somebody. They come with money that most Premier League clubs can’t match, especially not clubs like United who are trying to sort out their own financial picture before spending.

So the pressure is on INEOS now. Either figure out the Rashford situation in time to make a real run at Ndiaye, or watch another target head to the Saudi Pro League while United is still waiting for clarity. The window doesn’t wait forever, and Al Hilal clearly isn’t going to.