Manchester City agree £65m Iliman Ndiaye deal and open Enzo Fernandez talks

City hijack Tottenham move for Ndiaye

Manchester City reached an agreement with Everton on Monday to sign Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye in a transfer worth up to £65 million. The deal consists of a guaranteed £60 million upfront payment with an additional £5 million in performance-related add-on clauses. City turned their focus to the 26-year-old forward after a proposed £80 million move for Liverpool's Cody Gakpo collapsed. Liverpool refused to sanction Gakpo's departure without securing a replacement winger, having seen valuation issues stall approaches for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr despite completing a £123 million deal for Bradley Barcola. Ndiaye, who scored six goals for Everton last season after arriving from Marseille for £15 million two years ago, had rejected multiple contract renewal offers at Goodison Park.

Tottenham pivot to Mudryk after Richarlison collapse

City's agreement superseded a framework established by Tottenham Hotspur, who had reached an agreement in principle on Sunday to acquire Ndiaye for £60 million. That transfer depended on a separate £35 million transaction returning Brazilian forward Richarlison to Everton. However, Richarlison failed to agree personal terms with Everton, causing both deals to stall. Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi had previously omitted Richarlison from the squad during a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, citing repeated transfer requests. Richarlison addressed the situation in a statement posted to social media.

After everything I've been through in the last few years, I've decided that never again will anyone decide my future for me.

Following the breakdown of the Ndiaye transfer, Tottenham opened discussions with Chelsea to sign Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk on a season-long loan. Mudryk, whose doping ban was resolved earlier in the summer, previously played under De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk and drew interest from Leeds United and Brentford.

Chelsea negotiations and City spending

City also opened formal negotiations with Chelsea to sign Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The 25-year-old midfielder has not featured in Chelsea's last two matchday squads and wants a move to Manchester to reunite with manager Enzo Maresca. Chelsea set a minimum asking price of £120 million for Fernandez. In response to potential midfield departures, Chelsea made inquiries for Roma's Manu Kone and Monaco's Lamine Camara while facing resistance in attempts to recruit Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton. A completed deal for Ndiaye pushes City's summer expenditure beyond £300 million, following the signings of Elliot Anderson for £116 million and Ayyoub Bouaddi for £85 million.

Everton and Hull complete deadline moves

Everton used the proceeds from Ndiaye's sale to advance multiple late-window acquisitions before Tuesday's 22:00 GMT transfer cutoff. The club agreed to sell 23-year-old midfielder Tim Iroegbunam to Championship side Hull City for a £22 million package, consisting of £13 million guaranteed and £9 million in add-ons. Iroegbunam, signed from Aston Villa for £9 million in 2024, would become Hull's 13th summer arrival as the Championship side also pursues a loan for Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo. Everton advanced discussions to sign Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, Fulham right-back Kenny Tete, and Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, while weighing an exit for forward Beto to Fiorentina.