Iliman Ndiaye has reportedly turned down multiple extension offers from Everton amidst reports of interest from Manchester United and Liverpool. Both Premier League giants seem serious, as the Senegal international appears to be sending signals to potential bidders.
The 26-year-old CAM was among Everton's finest performers this season, and the club are desperate to convince him to stay. The Marseille youth product's current contract with the club runs out in 2029, and his agents want a release clause to be included in the new deal. However, Everton are not very thrilled by this idea and are said to be stalling on signing a fresh deal.
Manchester United are interested because Ndiaye has proven to be one of the most versatile attackers in the league. He can operate on either wing and is creative with the ball at his feet. Meanwhile, Liverpool have included him among the players who can succeed Mohamed Salah on their right flank. Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City are also tracking developments, but none of them are actively pursuing a deal as things stand, TeamTalk said in a report. They are waiting to see if the contract impasse could eventually provide an opportunity to open talks.
Manchester United have signed the Brazilian Éderson from Atalanta but are expected to bring in one, if not two more midfielders. However, Ndiaye is more likely to operate on the left wing if he moves to Old Trafford. The Red Devils are looking for defensively strong holding midfielders rather than a CAM, since they have Bruno Fernandes in that role.
Senegal open their World Cup campaign against France on June 16 in New Jersey in a repeat of their 2002 World Cup meeting in which the African side came out on top against the then-holders.They also take on Norway at the same venue (June 22) and Iraq in Toronto (June 26) in Group I matches.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Mory Diaw, Yehvann Diouf
Defenders: Krepin Diatta, Antoine Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Mamadou Sarr, Moussa Niakhate, Abdoulaye Seck, Ismail Jakobs
Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye, Lamine Camara, Habib Diarra, Pathe Ciss, Pape Matar Sarr, Bara Sapoko Ndiaye
Forwards: Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Assane Diao, Ibrahim Mbaye, Nicolas Jackson, Bamba Dieng, Cherif Ndiaye
