Manchester City are reportedly weighing a move for Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye as Pep Guardiola's side looks to bolster its wide areas following the exits of Savio and Omar Marmoush.
The Citizens have found themselves light on options out wide after Tottenham Hotspur swooped for Savio in a deal worth an initial £75m, while Marmoush has departed on loan to the same club, with the arrangement including an obligation to make the transfer permanent for a further £60m. Both players featured prominently for City last season, each making 36 appearances across all competitions.
With Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo currently viewed as City's primary choices on the flanks, the club is understood to be searching for additional depth and quality in that department. One deal is already close to completion, with City having reportedly agreed a £32m fee with Palmeiras for Brazilian winger Allan.
Ndiaye has emerged as another target under consideration. The Senegal international has impressed since joining Everton, netting 15 Premier League goals across his two seasons on Merseyside. Any move for the winger could reportedly involve Jack Grealish heading in the opposite direction as part of the negotiations.
Grealish, who cost City a club-record £100m when he arrived from Aston Villa, is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and spent last season on loan at Everton. David Moyes is said to be keen on re-signing the England international on a permanent basis after his previous stint with the Toffees.
However, Everton's business this summer has already been active on the wing front, with Moyes bringing in both Tyrique George and Brennan Johnson to strengthen his attacking options. Despite those additions, the Everton boss has indicated that further reinforcements are still needed, pointing out that his squad is currently smaller than it was during the previous campaign.
City's recruitment drive this summer has been substantial, with the club having spent in the region of £220m so far, the bulk of which has gone toward midfielders Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Should the Allan deal be finalized, that outlay would climb beyond £250m.
On the other side of the ledger, City have generated close to £290m in sales this summer, a figure that is expected to rise toward £350m once the Marmoush transfer to Tottenham is formally completed. The financial picture suggests City have room to continue investing in Guardiola's squad as they aim to add fresh energy and competition for places out wide.
The FA Cup holders' interest in Ndiaye reflects a broader strategy of identifying versatile, goal-contributing wide players to replace the productivity lost with Savio and Marmoush's departures. Whether a formal bid materializes, and whether Grealish's future is tied to any such deal, remains to be seen as the transfer window progresses. For Everton, balancing Moyes' stated need for more bodies in the squad against potential departures like Ndiaye will be a delicate exercise, particularly if a marquee return like Grealish is offered as part of any incoming package.
Based on reporting from The Independent.