Man City Turn to Iliman Ndiaye After Cody Gakpo Move Falls Through
Manchester City have reportedly abandoned their pursuit of Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo and instead accelerated negotiations for Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye as Pep Guardiola’s side look to strengthen their attack before the summer transfer window closes.
City had previously made contact with Liverpool regarding a potential deal for Gakpo and were prepared to make a substantial offer for the Netherlands international. A bid worth more than £80 million was reportedly on the table for the versatile forward.
However, according to BBC Sport, the proposed transfer ultimately failed to progress because Liverpool were unable to identify a suitable replacement for Gakpo. The Reds’ reluctance to sanction the winger’s departure forced City to quickly reconsider their options.
The Premier League champions have now turned their attention to Ndiaye, and a deal appears to be close. Journalist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano reports that Manchester City have reached an agreement with Everton over the Senegal international.
Ndiaye is expected to move to the Etihad Stadium for an initial fee of £60 million, with a further £5 million potentially payable in bonuses. The transfer is reportedly now at an advanced stage, with Ndiaye’s medical already scheduled. Official confirmation is expected once the remaining formalities have been completed.
Ndiaye’s potential arrival would provide City with another versatile attacking option capable of operating across several positions. His ability to play from the wing or through the middle makes him an appealing addition for Guardiola as he looks to increase the depth of his forward line.
The move, however, represents a significant setback for Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs had also been pursuing Ndiaye as manager Roberto De Zerbi sought to add another attacking player to his squad. Tottenham were reportedly prepared to include Richarlison as part of the proposal to Everton, but the two clubs were unable to reach an agreement over the Brazilian’s salary.
With that deal collapsing, Tottenham quickly shifted focus elsewhere. The north London club have since agreed to sign Mykhailo Mudryk on loan from Chelsea. The Ukraine international is already familiar to De Zerbi, having previously worked with the Italian coach at Shakhtar Donetsk.
For City, securing Ndiaye could prove to be an important piece of late-window business after their failure to land Gakpo. For Tottenham, meanwhile, losing out on the Senegalese forward has forced them to pursue an alternative solution just as the transfer deadline approaches. With the window nearing its conclusion, both Premier League giants are now moving quickly to finalise their respective attacking reinforcements.
