Report: Man United are leading the race to sign Premier League forward | OneFootball

Man Utd Lead Race for Iliman Ndiaye as Everton Set £70m Price

There is a particular kind of transfer rumour that says as much about a club’s anxieties as its ambitions. According to TeamTalk, Manchester United are now “frontrunners” to sign Iliman Ndiaye, with Everton placing a hefty £70million valuation on their attacking talisman.

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It is a story that feels timely. United’s forward line remains in flux, and succession planning has become an almost permanent state of being. TeamTalk report that Ndiaye is viewed internally as a potential replacement for Marcus Rashford’s squad place should the England international complete a permanent move to Barcelona.

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Ndiaye, 25, has quietly developed into one of the Premier League’s more intriguing attacking profiles. Five goals and two assists in 20 appearances this term only hint at his broader contribution. His dribbling, movement between wide and central channels, and composure in tight spaces have elevated him from useful addition to central figure.

Everton Hold Strong Position in Negotiations

Everton, though, are not blinking. With Ndiaye contracted until 2029, their stance is firm. TeamTalk indicate that the Toffees are demanding a fee “in the region of £70million to even open discussions.” That phrasing matters. It suggests both confidence and calculation.

Under the stewardship of The Friedkin Group, Everton are preparing for their own summer rebuild. Allowing one of their standout performers to depart would require persuasion at scale.

There is also the simple arithmetic. Signed from Marseille for £15million, Ndiaye now carries a valuation more than four times that figure. Profit and prestige intersect neatly here.

Premier League Rivals Join Chase

United may be leading, but they are not alone. TeamTalk note that Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also monitoring developments. Up to eight European competing clubs are said to be tracking the situation.

Each suitor sees something slightly different. Arsenal crave unpredictability. Chelsea seek rotational flair. Tottenham value pace in transition. United, perhaps more than most, need renewal.

Ndiaye himself is understood to have welcomed the interest, framing it as validation rather than distraction, while reiterating his commitment to Everton’s European push.

Transfer Window Story to Watch

There is a sense that this could gather momentum quickly. United’s recruitment team have identified profiles who can operate across multiple attacking roles, and Ndiaye fits that template.

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Yet £70million is not a speculative fee. It is a statement. Everton will remain composed, secure in the knowledge that time favours them. The contract length, the ownership backing, the upward trajectory all strengthen their hand.

For United, the question is not simply whether Ndiaye is talented. It is whether he represents the right recalibration at the right price.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Ndiaye’s skill set is attractive. He carries the ball with intent, links play intelligently and has Premier League experience. Those qualities would be welcomed at Old Trafford.

However, £70million prompts scrutiny. United fans have seen significant sums spent in recent seasons with uneven returns. Any investment of this scale must align with a broader plan, not merely fill a vacancy.

If Rashford departs, there will be emotional weight attached to that exit. Replacing him requires not just output, but presence. Supporters will ask whether Ndiaye can shoulder that expectation.

There is optimism, though. At 25, he is entering his peak years. If United are serious about refreshing their attack with adaptable, technically secure players, this link makes strategic sense.

The key will be execution. Fans want clarity of direction, decisive negotiation and players who elevate standards. If this pursuit is genuine, it must be part of something coherent rather than reactive.