Manchester City hijacked Tottenham's move for Iliman Ndiaye on transfer deadline day, completing a £65m deal for the Senegal winger from Everton in a whirlwind conclusion to the summer window.
The 26-year-old has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, with the transfer worth £60m plus a further £5m in potential add-ons. The deal capped an extraordinary rise for Ndiaye, who was playing non-league football for Hyde United just over six years ago before working his way up through the divisions.
Spurs had appeared to have the deal sewn up on Friday night, having agreed terms with Everton as part of a proposed swap that would have seen Richarlison return to Merseyside. However, talks broke down after Richarlison could not agree personal terms with his former club, opening the door for City to swoop in and complete the signing instead.
City had previously seen a bid for Liverpool's Cody Gakpo turned down and needed attacking reinforcements after both Savinho and Omar Marmoush departed for Tottenham. Ndiaye emerged as their solution, and the Senegalese international expressed delight at sealing the move.
"I've worked my whole life for an opportunity like this," Ndiaye said. "City are one of the best clubs in the world and I've seen them win everything as I've grown up. To be able to write my own chapter in a story that special is the chance of a lifetime and I'm determined to grab it with both hands."
He added: "It's not always been easy in my career, but I always had the belief that I could play for a team challenging for the biggest prizes and now I'm here. It feels so good. I love to play with the ball on the floor in an attacking team that wants to score as many goals as possible. That's why I know this is the perfect fit."
City's director of football, Hugo Viana, praised the winger's character and potential. "Iliman is a very talented footballer. He's had to work incredibly hard to reach this level and in my first conversation with him it was immediately obvious how grounded he is and the determination he has to be the best player he can be," Viana said. "I am really excited to see the level Iliman can reach in the years ahead because I know for sure working with Enzo [Maresca] and his staff is going to ensure he becomes a top-class Premier League player."
Ndiaye's path to the top flight began when he was spotted while playing Sunday league football and training with non-league Boreham Wood. A trial at Sheffield United led to a professional contract, though he had to wait 18 months for his debut, spending time on loan at Hyde United in the Northern Premier Division along the way.
He eventually broke through at Bramall Lane, helping the Blades win promotion to the Premier League in 2023 with 14 goals in 43 starts before a move to Marseille. After a difficult season in France, he joined Everton for an initial £16m in July 2024 and became a fan favourite on Merseyside, contributing 15 goals and four assists in 67 Premier League appearances. He also scored Everton's final goal at Goodison Park before their move to a new stadium.
Everton, who had offered Ndiaye a new contract that he rejected, will still make a substantial profit on the deal. In an effort to fill the gap left by his departure, the Toffees agreed a loan move for Jack Grealish from City.
The Ndiaye transfer came on a hectic deadline day for City, who also agreed a deal worth around £125m to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, taking their summer spending beyond £300m.
Elsewhere, Tottenham's pursuit of Ndiaye having fallen through, they turned to Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk, signing the winger on loan with a £75m purchase option after his doping ban was resolved. Spurs also added defender Tosin Adarabioyo from Chelsea for £7m.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport, The Standard, The Guardian, and The Independent.