Can Everton keep fan favourite Iliman Ndiaye after star rejects multiple contract offers? | OneFootball

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In a worrying development for Everton fans of the twinkle-toed dribbler  the future of Iliman Ndiaye hangs in the balance, with The Athletic revealing that the dynamic attacker has turned down multiple lucrative contract extensions from the club.

Talks between Everton and Ndiaye’s representatives have been ongoing since the turn of the year. The Blues were keen to reward the 26-year-old’s stellar form by making him one of the highest earners at Bramley-Moore Dock. However, negotiations have hit a major roadblock.

While Ndiaye still has 3 years remaining on his current deal and is reportedly not actively forcing a move, the sticking point is a crucial exit clause. Ndiaye’s camp is demanding a release clause that could be triggered as early as this summer, before they commit to any extension.

Everton, meanwhile, are desperate to protect the valuation of their crown jewel. The board wants to ensure that the club dictates the timing, terms, and price of any potential future transfer, reportedly putting a substantial £68M price tag on him to ward off predatory Premier League rivals like Manchester United.

An Elite Asset Suffering Under Moyes's Pragmatism

For Evertonians, this news will trigger immediate alarm bells, even if Ndiaye isn't aggressively pushing for the exit door just yet. Since his arrival, he has established himself as the team's undisputed "elite" talent — the one player capable of injecting genuine magic, vision, and flair into the side that actually gets supporters up out of their seats.

However, his reluctance to sign without an escape clause speaks volumes about the current crossroads at the club. Fans are already intensely questioning David Moyes's tactical approach that resulted in an abysmal finish to the season. The pragmatic, rigid system deployed by Moyes has left many wondering if a player of Ndiaye's supreme technical calibre and attack-minded verve will inevitably grow stifled by having to perform plenty of defensive duties.

With the World Cup kicking off later this month, Everton face a perilous situation. If Ndiaye shines as a creative attacking force on the global stage for Senegal, the queue of elite suitors will grow, and the club’s leverage will start to erode if he refuses to blink on the release clause.

The Everton board obviously wants to protect their asset, but to keep a player of this calibre happy, the lack of ambition on the pitch shown by Moyes last season and the abject failure to qualify for Europe from a position of strength will likely have directly impacted the player’s own lofty aspirations.

Tony Abrahams 2 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:01:39

We paid nearly £40M for Dibling, so we surely won't be letting our best footballer leave for £60M, especially if he has got five clubs after him (Dibling only had one), including the double Champions League winners, PSG.

What was that, Mark!!

Andrew Ellams 3 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:19:58

I'd be surprised if we got more than £60M for Ndiaye. He's got the flicks and tricks but his final delivery and finishing needs work sometimes.

If's he's being chased by teams like PSG, it's not to start games on a regular basis.

Jay Harris 4 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:27:50

The way Ndiaye played for Senegal the other day, we would be lucky to get £6M.

Ryan Holroyd 5 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:37:04

PSG won't be after Ndiaye.

He's not good enough for them.

Ian Bennett 6 Posted 02/06/2026 at 19:43:16

Ndiaye is £70M minimum. If he won't sign a new deal, see you later.

Summerville & George, and you'd still have money left over.

John Collins 7 Posted 02/06/2026 at 19:52:08

Ndiyae will be hoping to sign for a manager who allows him to concentrate on the attacking skill he has, not one who plays him as a track-back wide-man.

Ian Bennett 8 Posted 02/06/2026 at 20:24:27

Or, he will be going to play Champions League football and have a 350%+ payrise.

Tony Hughes 9 Posted 02/06/2026 at 20:27:33

On his day, Ndiaye can be unplayable but, for the last 3 months, he was more fart than shit.

Obviously knew he is on his way out.

Christy Ring 10 Posted 02/06/2026 at 20:38:19

With 3 years left on his contract and Ndiaye one of the lowest earners, either a big rise or he wants out?

Ian Bennett 11 Posted 02/06/2026 at 20:40:23

Supposedly turned down multiple contracts, Christy, per The Athletic.

But they could be pandering to a Man Utd audience wanting transfer links.

Christy Ring 12 Posted 02/06/2026 at 20:47:16

I saw that, Ian, he wants a get-out clause, supposedly?

Ian Bennett 13 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:00:50

He's 26.

It is his next big contract as he hits his prime.

Andrew Merrick 14 Posted 03/06/2026 at 11:20:52

Still a keep for me.

Yes he needs better players to link up with, so get them here, don't sell him off to join them elsewhere. If this club has a squad build strategy then this window has to reflect that.

Minimum need;2 x full backs with pace1 x proven striker1 x wide midReplace Gueye if he's goneKeep Tyrique George

James Marshall 15 Posted 03/06/2026 at 11:39:10

He will leave, whether it's this summer or perhaps next, but he will leave. We're a stepping stone club, nothing more. We've sold all our better players over the last 30 years because we only ever have one or two in the squad at any given time.\ r

Examples: Rooney, Lukaku, Stones, Fellaini, Onana, Gordon, Digne, Richarlison, Lescott.

How highly you rate any of them is not the point; the point is we always sell our best assets, because A) we need the money, or B) the player has ambition.

It will continue with players like Ndiaye because he's better than us. Yes, he struggled post-Afcon, but he was having to do too much. You could buy Mbappe and Kvaratskhelia and they'd struggle across a season in our team because they're surrounded by average players.

The best players are the best players because they're at the top clubs with all the other top players. You're as good as the players you play with over a season -- you might stand out here and there, but overall your best years are when you play with other top players.

Mike Hayes 17 Posted 03/06/2026 at 11:58:43

Agent apparently wants a £40m release clause in any contract but Everton says that’s too low.

Andrew Ellams 18 Posted 03/06/2026 at 12:06:12

The problem Everton have is that, if his form from the second half of this season extends into next, his value goes down.

James Marshall 19 Posted 03/06/2026 at 12:22:27

Andrew, and if he plays deep into the World Cup, he won't have had much of a break since he joined us so he'll be knackered.

Steve Brown 20 Posted 03/06/2026 at 12:23:20

He has 3 years left and no release clause. We don't have to do anything this summer and he can continue on the same wages.

The Athletic also says the club are likely to place a prohibitive valuation, in line with the €80M Barcelona paid Newcastle Utd for Anthony Gordon.

Raymond Fox 21 Posted 03/06/2026 at 12:31:16

We can't sell our top players and ever get to be a consistent top 4 - 6 club. The most successful clubs buy the best players that they can get their hands on, hence they keep their dominance.

Us fans know this, the problem is -- if the player is determined to go -- you can't really blame them if they are offered better deals and more chance of some glory.

It usually is folly to prevent them leaving -- they can just run their contract down and then leave on a free, leaving the club potless.

How you overcome this problem, I don't know.

Mick Springstein 22 Posted 03/06/2026 at 12:41:12

If the club will allow Ndiaye out for less than £80M, then the new owners and execs haven't learned what it takes to be truly competitive. Iliman is under contract and we don't have to sell him. We should be surrounding our better players with better players to help achieve more.

Yeah, he dropped off towards the end but he was still one of our stand-out players putting both centre-forwards to shame with his ability. You fickle fans now acting betrayed make me sick, tbh.

John Collins 23 Posted 03/06/2026 at 12:45:57

Illy sitting at home pondering his next move .

"Do I want to play the next few seasons for a manager who will let me express myself, one who asks me to concentrate on the opposition's half rather than both halves?

"Or do I want to play for a manager who sees me as a track-back wide-man?

"My current manager knew that I had been to Afcon and still asked me to do the shuttle runs despite knowing my fitness was dropping."

All the best, Illy, see you when you come to our place with your new team.

Mark Steers 24 Posted 03/06/2026 at 12:49:45

Raymond,

We don't sell our so-called best players -- they sell themselves; surely you must've learnt that by now. The way to stop it is to buy quality and compete at a top level, go deep in the cups, and they might stay... but sadly we don't buy quality; we have duds.

New contracts:

Tarkowski: 2 yearsKeane: 1 year And Gana deciding if he wants to give us another season.

Mediocre at best.

Jimmy Carr 25 Posted 03/06/2026 at 12:56:04

John (23),

Who are these managers who don't ask their forward players to track back? It's part of the game.

We can hang on to Illy but he's on significantly less than the senior players in the squad. I think we should give him what he wants in terms of a release clause, but not for £40M as quoted above.

Stu Gre 26 Posted 03/06/2026 at 13:01:05

Will he be off to Roma in a cut-price deal?

Christy Ring 27 Posted 03/06/2026 at 13:34:38

If he has a good World Cup, his value will rise, and we'll get a big offer.

If not, he'll probably settle for a new contract?

Brian Denton 28 Posted 03/06/2026 at 13:51:06

Heard from a very reliable source that Ndiaye is off this window; 5 clubs after him, including PSG.

Who is that reliable source, Mr Harrison?

Neil Cremin 29 Posted 03/06/2026 at 14:01:25

John,

Do you ever change the theme of your posts? It's obsessive. Everybody is discussing Ndiaye, his value, and his contract... yet you, once again, are talking about the manager.Every post is the same.

We are stuck with him until TFG decide to change.

John Collins 30 Posted 03/06/2026 at 14:07:35

Neil,

Apologies for posting negatively on your knight in shining armour.

The manager fucked Illy's second half of the season by flogging him to death. I won't be changing my theme until the miserable cunt has been fucked off.

Neil Cremin 31 Posted 03/06/2026 at 14:30:14

John,

No need to apologise but he is not my knight in shining armour, I'm not obsessively opposed to him as you are. I was judging him based on his delivery of results.

Until mid-March, I was giving him the benefit of doubt when we were within reach of European football. However, the performance since mid-March is abysmal and is relegation form; therefore, we do need a change.

When he was appointed, my own feeling was lukewarm but a pragmatic choice seeing as there was no one else around to take on the job. I also felt that 18 months was enough. That 18 months is up and it's time for change.

As for who... I have no idea but the wish list here on TW is only that -- a wish list. Keep on dreaming of poaching managers whom other clubs have identified and been relatively successful in the Premier League. Why can't we find such managers?

Palace are already finding a successor to Glasner outside the mainstream, while we are coveting other Premier League managers.

Moyes is not the only problem. Management at Everton FC in recruitment and long-term strategic planning over the past 30 years has us now as a fallen giant stuck among the pack. Until the whole structure within the club changes, changing the manager won't be enough.

But it's a free world, so keep posting... but it is a bit predictable at this stage.

Mark Murphy 32 Posted 03/06/2026 at 14:31:04

Neil, to be fair, the article itself discusses Moyes part in Ndiaye's possible departure.

As I understand it, the club are willing to improve Illy's contract but won't agree to the £40M escape clause for obvious reasons.

John Collins 33 Posted 03/06/2026 at 14:32:07

"I'm just obsessively opposed to him as you are"

Yet your pulling me for being obsessive?

Neil Cremin 34 Posted 03/06/2026 at 15:04:39

John,

My error, I meant to post “not as” instead of “just as” which was a predictive text error. Didn't use the Edit button. Silly me.

David Connor 35 Posted 03/06/2026 at 15:08:41

He has been absolute dogshit since he returned from Afcon, almost to the point that you wonder if he is starting to down tools.

I don't have a problem with any player at the club wanting to leave -- especially the way they performed in the last 7 games of the season.

If he indeed wishes to leave, shake his hand, get what they can for him, and move him on. No player is ever bigger than the club, no matter how good they think they are.

Phillip Warrington 36 Posted 03/06/2026 at 15:34:09

If he has 3 years left on his contract, do what most big clubs do: put an unreal sticker price transfer sum on him.

I'm still undecided by him. A great player, like Jack Grealish, but doesn't score a lot of goals considering the positions he gets in.

Paul Kossoff 37 Posted 03/06/2026 at 15:50:27

Have some backbone, Everton, tell his agent to fuck off with his demands, his wantaway star can stay on his wages for the next 3 ears, or put in a transfer request and, if we get £68M, he can go.

Oh, and don't kiss the badge, kiss Moyes's arse. These players want the fucking lot, don't they? They won't put a transfer request in because they would lose money.

Off you go, Ndiaye, and take Barry with you, he can clean your boots, because he ain't good enough for out else. I've said before, Ndiaye is a luxury player we can't afford, he would do great in Manchester City or Arsenal -- they can accommodate luxury players; we can't.

Steve Brown 38 Posted 03/06/2026 at 15:52:19

Neil @ 29,

John has been consistent all season in his view of the manager.

You were Moyes's apologist in chief until results made that very embarrassing; then you did a major pivot to the opposite position.

Your post with its trigger-finger sensitivity to criticism of Moyes is what we have all come to expect. If Moyes starts next season well, you will pivot again to support him.

David West 39 Posted 03/06/2026 at 16:09:10

He's obviously due a pay rise, which it looks like he's getting either way. With 3 years on his deal, we have the cards to play. Sell for big fee, keep him on a small wage, or offer him what he wants.

A player demanding an exit or release clause or fee doesn't scream commitment to me, it says soon as someone comes in, I'm off!!

Such a good player, but we need to be ruthless to get the best for the club. The drop-off in form suggests it could be on his mind. Agents defo in his ears telling him this club or that club wants you, and they want him to have a big move at some point, hence the buy-out or exit clause.

If you're happy, you are not thinking of exits!

Sean Kearns 40 Posted 03/06/2026 at 16:18:18

Clearly too good for us. Let's be honest here, 😔 he's somebody who actually entertains us and has quality. It was always too good to be true!

There will be others, lads… chins up… Imagine being as good as Ndiaye is with all the skills in the world, and being told to sit back for 75 minutes and chase shadows.

Then, when you finally do get a kick and take on a few people, you look up for the 1-2 and it's either Beto or Barry!! 😂 I'd be off too...

Jeff Spiers 41 Posted 03/06/2026 at 16:29:52

Sean, too right!

Patric Ridge 42 Posted 03/06/2026 at 16:39:44

Nice piece, Michael.

The club are in a strong position with Ndiaye.

They have offered him deals, and his reps (because it is his reps) want a buy-out clause included. They want a lower buy-out clause than Everton are willing to accept.

That's totally normal and doesn't have to make anyone angry.

He has 3 years left on his deal so that means the club holds the cards, and Gordon's early move has helped set the market. Everton will be asking for at least £55-60M, and if he has a good World Cup, that fee will only go up.

If he stays, that's fine too -- Ndiaye, I highly doubt, will kick up a fuss. Family is settled in the North-West, but footballers move, it happens!

Patric Ridge 43 Posted 03/06/2026 at 16:41:27

#40 Sean

Ndiaye is a great player, but the idea he is told to sit back and defend is, frankly, way wide of the mark.

Ndiaye squandered plenty of chances in the run-in to win Everton games. He was poor.

There's plenty of caveats of course, but if he ends up at an 'elite' club, their fans won't be letting him off the hook for being fatigued.

John Collins 44 Posted 03/06/2026 at 16:47:54

Who said he "was told to sit back and defend " Patric?

Jim Bennings 45 Posted 03/06/2026 at 16:53:38

At 26 I think we will take anything around £60 million for him.

Go and spend it on Tyrique George and Jarrod Bowen.

Raymond Fox 46 Posted 03/06/2026 at 16:55:16

We need to keep Ndiaye; if we don't, we might as well throw the towel in as a club.

And the problem I have with changing Moyes for another fall guy is it has not worked in the past... and it won't again unless you up the class of the players. All managers are easy targets to blame when things don't go how we want.

Go through the team: we have too many weak links. If we had bought better last summer and Grealish was available, plus the ever-injured Branthwaite, we would have cake-walked into Europe.

I am not appealing on Moyes's behalf, I don't care one way or another if he's sacked; I'm saying players are far more important than any manager.

Martin Berry 47 Posted 03/06/2026 at 17:11:30

Ndiaye is probably wanting an improved contract and maybe including a release clause.

I am sure it will be sorted out, and he has a few years contractually so he won't be leaving for peanuts; either way, we will do alright out of it.

I am only interested in players who want to play for Everton.

Jimmy Carr 48 Posted 03/06/2026 at 17:14:12

Neil Cremin is allowed to change his mind about our manager, as I am, as any Everton supporter is. If it's embarrassing, I'd suggest constantly slagging off your team's manager, regardless of results, is equally embarrassing.

I stuck by Moyes until results, and team selections, went to dogshit. Not that it matters, he's going nowhere.

John Collins 49 Posted 03/06/2026 at 17:33:36

He certainly is, Jimmy.

Same as I am allowed not to change my mind.

Darren Hind 50 Posted 03/06/2026 at 17:52:34

John @33 and Steve @38

Absolutely spot on.

He's about the only one on the site who doesn't realise it.

Jimmy Carr 51 Posted 03/06/2026 at 17:53:22

Fine, John (@49), but as he pointed out, you are making the same point about David Moyes on every thread, regardless of the relevance.

Mark Steers 52 Posted 03/06/2026 at 17:55:49

Ndiaye, believe it or not, earns less wages than Coleman which is amazing.

So, whichever way you look at it, Everton were going to run into a brickwall; he was going to ask for a massive wage rise, or say goodbye. Not hard to work out.

Terry Farrell 53 Posted 03/06/2026 at 17:57:29

Iliman can play for any top team in the Premier League or in Europe and, the better the team, the better he will be.

Let's agree he stays next season and, if we get the fee we require, he can leave at the end of next season... ie, a compromise.

Enjoy him whilst we can -- this kid is super special!

Tony Abrahams 54 Posted 03/06/2026 at 18:04:35

Tony@9, I hate reading comments like that if I'm being honest mate.

I think it's obvious when a player is not trying, and I think it's noticeable when a player is looking tired. Iliman, was definitely trying but sometimes when you're tired it's just impossible to produce anything near your best form.

Dewsbury-Hall is another player who looked tired but surely this doesn't mean he his on his way out as well, but maybe just another player who just wasn't managed properly towards the end?

Frankie McGrath 55 Posted 03/06/2026 at 18:04:35

I agree with Phillip @ 36:

“If he has 3 years left on his contract, do what most big clubs do: put an unreal stick transfer sum on”.

Then negotiate. I'd steer away from release clauses -- just get the best price anytime you can. I'd say £70M-£80M if the likes of PSG, Man Utd etc are interested.

Ultimately, it's obvious he will leave and we should be looking to come out better overall with two strong signings in his place. George & Bowen might be a start.

I just dearly hope we can rebuild this club back to the level that I remember in the '80s.

John Collins 56 Posted 03/06/2026 at 18:09:19

That's because he is the root cause of our problems, Jimmy. He's the cog in the wheel.

I will be posting many more in similar fashion; if you don't like it, don't read it.

John Collins 57 Posted 03/06/2026 at 18:10:40

Should read "block" on the wheel...

Jimmy Carr 58 Posted 03/06/2026 at 18:26:21

Once again John, that's fine, but why are you posting your thoughts about David Moyes on a thread relating to Ndiaye?

John Collins 59 Posted 03/06/2026 at 18:31:17

Didn't you read my previous post, Jimmy?

Mark Ryan 60 Posted 03/06/2026 at 18:50:33

Keep posting, John. I love your posts.

We are on the same page where Moyes is concerned and you are correct in exactly what you say. Just like the question should Everton buy Hackney from the Boro then the answer is No because Moyes won't play him and he will treat him just like he has Tyler Dibling cos he never gives young talent a chance.

Moyes is the root of all our current ills. If the question next season is Who do you fancy in the FA Cup this season? Then the answer is Nobody -- because Moyes will do his level best to dump us out of it at his earliest chance.

So keep posting, John, as you do until the boring, stubborn dinosaur of a manager has pissed off back to Man Utd, West Ham, Sunderland or wherever he ends up next. God help whoever gets him.

I suspect sadly we are stuck with him but keep posting about him. Someone in the club might take note...

Phil Roberts 61 Posted 03/06/2026 at 18:59:14

With all the comments about Moyes not playing young players -- can someone please define what is considered young?

Are we talking teenagers? Or are we talking under 23? Under 25?? Under 30???

We keep going on about him not playing young players which is a totally meaningless phrase without some numbers behind it.

I'm just asking -- what is a young player in your view?

Neil Cremin 62 Posted 03/06/2026 at 18:59:29

Steve, I didn't think John needed you to stand up for him, he is well able to do that himself.

But since you feel you must, Yes, John has been consistent all season, as have many others against Moyes. I called out John on this thread because the posts up to then were about Ndiaye and his contract and John once again brought up the manager.

I don't need to explain my perspective to your very presumptive post, particularly when you know nothing about me and obviously only read what you wanted to read where I challenged anti-Moyes bias.

You have never read my posts criticising him for his game management, substitutions, but for me more critically Everton FC for not having the same quality of recruitment as Bournemouth, Brighton, Brentford, Wolves, Forest, or Palace.

If we desire to compete at the top table again, then this is where we start, recruitment of players and managers and not looking to poach those identified and proven by other Premier League clubs.

We always seem to be coveting the finds of other clubs and never able to identify our own hidden gems. Time to be a leader again and not a follower as we now seem to be.

Mark Ryan 64 Posted 03/06/2026 at 19:16:42

Phil @61,

Moyes never gave Adam Aznou, Harrison Armstrong, Tyler Dibling or Tyrique George the game time they and the team needed. Instead, he flogged the entire team like a dead horse and exhausted them.

These young eager talented players are in his squad. He would not trust them. These players needed game time. The other players needed more rest but he is a stubborn, stuck-in-the-mud manager.

That's what I mean by not giving young players their proper chance. They are all in their 20s.

Liam Mogan 65 Posted 03/06/2026 at 19:25:44

Ndiaye is arguably our best attacker, but I'm not sure he's quite as good as some think.

He's not great at finishing, hasn't got a great strike/cross and, as he plays with his head down, doesn't create enough for others. Fantastic to watch his skill and close control at times though.

Moyes Out -- just to support John really.

Billy Shears 66 Posted 03/06/2026 at 19:31:36

A decent enough player but flatters to deceive in plenty of games...

If he won't sign a new contract? Sell to the highest bidder.

Then look at Fatawu instead to fill the right side of the pitch or maybe make a bid for George!

Terry Farrell 67 Posted 03/06/2026 at 19:49:32

Billy, he's got 3 years on his contract. Flatters to deceive? Give me strength.

He usually has to beat the 1st man of 2 or 3 to open up space so he can pass to the nearest man.

Can you imagine if he played for Man City? He would destroy teams.

John Collins 68 Posted 03/06/2026 at 19:52:27

Billy,

It would not surprise me if George got nicked for speeding on the M25 an hour after our last game. Not a chance the kid will sign for Moyes.

Neil Cremin 69 Posted 03/06/2026 at 20:13:32

Darren, didn't realise I was addressing you, so are you trying to bully me off this site like you tried with Christy Ring and others who have a perspective contrary to yours? I think you just succeeded in getting rid of one more person who doesn't fall into your gang mentality.

Life is too short to put up with this bullshit when one is expressing an opinion about a club I have supported for 60 years this year and to which I am as entitled to give my view. Just as you are entitled to yours but when those views don't agree with your gang view, you resort to such tactics.

Good bye.

Oliver Molloy 70 Posted 03/06/2026 at 20:21:30

Ndiaye could be thinking like us anti-Moyes heads on here.He wants to play attacking football and he probably is aware he isn't going to be allowed to be himself with Moyes in charge.

I think it's nailed on that, if Everton do receive a big offer, they will consider selling. Providing he is replaced, I would not be against him leaving.

On another note, my choice to replace Moyes (Iraola) looks like he could be the new boss over the road; I think he will fail, to be honest.

Everton would have been the perfect step up in club stature for him -- he could have built his own team given the correct support and shown the football world that he is no flash in the pan; this could definitely have been achieved with us.

However, the Red Shite and their players will be a totally different kettle of fish. If he does sign for them, I obviously hope he fails Big Time!

Dale Self 71 Posted 03/06/2026 at 20:30:27

Jimmy 51, and do note that he is spot on every time. ;)

Sean O\\\'Hanlon 72 Posted 03/06/2026 at 20:59:05

It's obvious the decent players would leave Everton with that useless Scottish prick in charge.

I will not be following the club any more if he's still at the club come the start of the season. How can supporters be expected to support that wanker?

Christy Ring 73 Posted 03/06/2026 at 21:00:53

Neil #69 Keep posting, as you say life's too short, and after supporting this club for 60 years, you are entitled to your view and opinions -- isn't that what ToffeeWeb is all about? If we all agreed with each other's comments, it would be very boring!

Liam #65, Ndiaye is a good finisher, and has a good strike, his goal against Chelsea showed that, a good striker. If he could cross too, that would help.

I agree he has been poor in the last 8 weeks (like many others)... no excuses -- he looked jaded, as did Dewsbury-Hall, but Moyes insisted on playing both and leaving Armstrong and George on the bench.

Mal van Schaick 74 Posted 03/06/2026 at 21:12:03

Ndaiye has realised he's playing with a bunch of misfits and is fed up running around in circles with no end result.

Take the money and move on.

Dave Abrahams 75 Posted 03/06/2026 at 21:14:41

Ndiaye gets one-sixth of the wages Grealish gets but does twice as much work up and down that wing, both wings and in the middle... Why not swerve Grealish and then there is £225k in wages to play with next season?

I hope we sort it out with Ndiaye's agent and he stays but I think he will be gone during the summer and Everton will be glad to use whatever fee we get for him... although Everton will be the losers here.

Yes, his form dropped off after playing nearly every game for Everton and helping his country to win the Africa Cup of Nations, same as James Garner, who never missed a minute of the Premier League games all season.

I wish Ndiaye the very best of luck, whoever he plays for next season — I hope it is with us.

Annika Herbert 76 Posted 03/06/2026 at 21:26:29

David @ 39, we are never going to get the best whilst Moyes is in charge. Ndiaye is our current best player and it's not even close.

But, if we do sell him, he will be replaced with an ageing, Premier League-experienced grafter. As Moyes covets these types.

Mike Price 77 Posted 03/06/2026 at 21:40:55

The £40M buy-out clause is ridiculous because that's just setting a low price that could immediately be triggered.

If he doesn't want to sign a much improved contract with what we consider an appropriate buy-out price, he's taking a big chance with his future. An injury like the Ekitike one would be catastrophic physically and financially.

If he was my son, I would be telling him to get out of here, because the forward players are dire and the manager is a dinosaur. I wouldn't want him wasting his prime years scrambling back when he could be a shining light in an attacking team, challenging for trophies and being properly rewarded.

Phil Roberts 78 Posted 03/06/2026 at 21:56:25

Mark, so anyone over 20 is not considered a young player?

Anzou came on against Roma in pre-season. We lost 1-0. Why? Because he missed the guy he was marking. And that was in a friendly. Imagine if it was in the Premier League...

Dibling: 4 starts. Twice hooked at half-time because he was not doing anything -- either in attack or defence.

Armstrong: So who would you drop? Dewsbury-Hall? Garner? He is a central midfielder and we all moaned about him being put on the wing.

George: one start and hooked after we turned 1-0 into 1-2. Scored? Assists?

Moyes's first stint saw the likes of Rodwell, Anichebe, Rooney, Barkley all play before they were 20. Since he left, we have had Stones, Calvert-Lewin, Tom Davies, Galloway, Gordon, Moise Kean, Branthwaite and that is it.

Here is a good question:- How many games did teenagers start under:

Dyche - 2 (Chermiti & Dixon) Lampard - 3 (Branthwaite) Benithus - 1 (Branthwaite) Ancelotti - 9 (Kean & Gordon) Marco Silva - 4 (Kean)

Moyes last season - 10. The last manager to start more teenagers was Sam Allardyce with 14 (Tom Davies)

I don't think this is a Moyes problem. It is a Premier League Manager problem. But hey, we all want to have a moan and this post will now be ignored because the facts don't fit with the narrative. Brave people will say -- Oh, maybe we are wrong.

Liam Mogan 79 Posted 03/06/2026 at 22:17:12

Christy 73 - yes that was a great finish and strike against Chelsea.

But he doesnt do it enough, as shown in the game against Man City where he missed a number of good chances with weak efforts. He does that more often than the great strikes.

It's a weakness in his game, I think. But I wish we had more players like him who had more strengths than weaknesses (which overall he does).

Derek Thomas 80 Posted 03/06/2026 at 22:29:53

Shades of Pienaar before the South African 2010 World Cup -- whose campaign turned out to be distinctly average -- hanging on for the 'Big Deal'.

Ended up as a bench warmer for Spurs.

Allegedly; 'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it' is one quote. Two more are; 'The grass isn't always greener' and, 'If you want loyalty -- get a dog (not a footballer)'.

James Marshall 81 Posted 03/06/2026 at 22:43:17

It's all very well him being under contract, but the reality is that if a player (and an agent) want a move, they can engineer it. Money talks and if a player decides he wants out, it'll happen. Don't be fooled by a 3-year contract, it means very little.

If he chooses, and agitates, the media get involved, player becomes 'unhappy', he'll be gone. We've seen it before and we'll see it again.

And then you can all hate him when he leaves.

Bastard! How dare he not stay at Everton his entire career and win absolutely fuck all!

Michael Kenrick 82 Posted 03/06/2026 at 23:11:00

Phil @78,

All those numbers just serve to reinforce the fundamental point that you seem to be missing. Last season, Moyes was given a unique opportunity in his long overall career at Everton -- a squad of players, including some younger ones with tremendous talent, put together at great expense.

It was his job to make the most of those players, to bring out the best in them -- especially if they were young, and most especially if they had limited experience playing in the Premier League.

Instead, he completely botched it. He destroyed whatever talent they may have come in with, no doubt by insisting they do more without the ball than they do with it, and insisting they conform to his system, instead of figuring out what their strengths were and moulding his team and formation around them to bring out the best in the squad as a whole.

Having written that, it's obvious in hindsight it was never going to happen. That's simply not who Moyes is.

Mark Taylor 83 Posted 03/06/2026 at 23:42:03

If we were Bournemouth, we'd sell him for top dollar and get someone equally good but younger and with even more potential for half his fee and the manager would turn him into a star.

But we are not. We don't have Iraola nor their recruitment team.

Dale Self 84 Posted 03/06/2026 at 23:55:35

If we were Bournemouth, I'm not sure this story gets out.

Do we think the agent leaked it to stimulate offers? Or is someone at the club unable to keep it close to the vest?

Mike Gaynes 85 Posted 03/06/2026 at 00:51:23

"Ndiaye is our current best player and it's not even close."

Two words for that:

James Garner.

Mike Gaynes 86 Posted 03/06/2026 at 00:58:17

Michael #82, so you really believe Dibling and Aznou have such "tremendous talent" that Moyes should have been "moulding his team and formation around them"?

Or am I misreading that?

Laurie Hartley 87 Posted 04/06/2026 at 02:25:06

I hope we hang on to him, he is a terrific footballer.

He definitely needs a very big pay rise if this is anything to go by. He should be in the top 4 of that table at least. £6,240,000 looks to be the number to me. Link

The club should stick to its guns with the release clause figure.

Grealish is being paid far too much - if he is to stay he should be on no more than Ndiaye. Personally I hope he goes back and Ndiaye can play in his best position.

But as mentioned on a number of occasions he needs better footballers to play with.

Sign Gabriel Jesus so he has a forward he can play with. Sign Wan-Bissaka so he has a full back he can link up with, Sign George and play him on the right flank. Sign Jiminez from Bournemouth. Sign Senesi on a free.

Last but not least if we can’t get Glasner how about Allegri - he is available.

Thats my shopping list for the summer window.

Paul Griffiths 88 Posted 04/06/2026 at 03:16:33

Mick Springstein (22): You fickle fans now acting betrayed make me sick, tbh.

Sorry to hear that Mick. I hope that you are in the right hands to get you on the right road. But perhaps you could look - carefully - at the 21 posts before yours and show me/us one - one - where a a 'fickle' bastard poster is 'acting betrayed'?

Sean Herbert 89 Posted 04/06/2026 at 04:55:59

Mike @ 85, 3 words for you.

In your opinion.

Steve Brown 90 Posted 04/06/2026 at 06:16:04

Phil @ 78, here are some more numbers for you.

Chelsea has the youngest squad in the Premier League with an average age of approximately 23.4 years, while Everton boasts the oldest at 28.5 years.

If you define pre-peak as below 24 years of age, peak as 24-29, and post peak as over 29 years old, then 37% of Everton’s squad is post peak. That is not necessarily a bad thing, unless the burden of playing hours is placed on that age group as it was with Everton last season. We were ranked 3rd in the league table for playing time given to players over 29 years old.

Everton have one of the lower pre-peak squad percentages in the division, and what is noticeable is how few starts players under 24 have been given by Moyes. Brighton have given 45.7% of their minutes to players aged 24 or under. This matches their club model, which has been to unearth young, hidden gems and then sell them on for significant profit to reinvest.

That is also meant to be TFG’s model. The owner is trying to change the age profile of the squad but have a manager who has the opposite philosophy in terms of playing minutes.

You either have a plan or you don’t.

Mike Gaynes 91 Posted 04/06/2026 at 06:47:57

Sean #89, of course. That's what we're all here to give.

Steve #90...

"That is also meant to be TFG’s model."

How do you know? When have they shared their intention to adopt a Brighton model? Or anything about their intentions at all? And if their manager opposed their intentions, why would they be keeping him on?

Phil Roberts 92 Posted 04/06/2026 at 07:15:55

Steve, well as you will see from my contentious article about it being a season of two halves, the team was younger this year than last.

Moyes did bring the age of the team down from Dyche but maybe he thought playing Barry up front with George and Dibling on the wing was not a good plan. It would have allowed him to bench Ndiaye which I think would be popular on ToffeeWeb.

Lee Courtliff 94 Posted 04/06/2026 at 07:39:47

I'd take the £60M and buy some pace as we're one of the slowest teams in the League. Illi has been a joy to watch, I'd rather keep him, but if he wants to leave and we need some money then it makes sense to sell him and improve the overall quality of the team. His end product simply isn't there often enough, and we're more than used to losing players so it's not a new thing. I haven't mourned the sale of a player since we sold Andrei in '97, its just part of the game that you have to accept.

The problem is, as always, will the club actually spend it wisely?

Ian Bennett 95 Posted 04/06/2026 at 07:42:44

I thought Garner looked better in front of the back 4. His interception and tackles are the highest in the league, whilst he gives us a better passing option to take the ball off the back 4, rather than them just punting it aimlessly.

He has shown a very good ability to get back and put in some brilliant tackles to stifle attacks, with the occasional yellow card. I am surprised some don't see him as our best defensive midfield option.

The current system would probably see Dewesbury Hall remaining at 10, with Iroegbunam, Rohl, and Armstrong fighting it out for 8. Dewesbury Hall could play the 8, with Alcaraz or an upgrade in at 10. My assumption is Gana's wages would preclude him being here next season.

Hackney presumably comes in at the 8 or 10 conversation. He isn't as busy of a player as KDH, but probably keeps the ball a bit better. I don't see him out scoring Kdh, and I think whilst he will improve the ball retention at 8, he will be in for a shock on the pace of the Epl. His arrival probably sees Armstrong on loan.

That 8 position or box to box position, has lots of youngish players that might improve, but who are all currently a country mile behind players like Fernandes, Rice, Szoboszlai, and probably a load more. For me Hackney & Iroegbunam are not the answer. The money would be far better spent on a single physical & technical player that is more aligned with those better players mentioned. Somebody mentioned Kone from roma as the type of profile of player. He is obviously not leaving champions league roma, but he is the type of all round footballer we need to be looking at.

If we are serious about europe or a trophy run, then you need players that can lay a glove on the opposition, regardless of who our manager is.

Mick O\\\'Malley 96 Posted 04/06/2026 at 08:07:53

So let me get this straight, young players aren't allowed to make a mistake or there out of the team, but experienced pro's like Tarkowski and OBrien, Keane can make as many as they do but stay in the team, if you don't play the younger players they will never learn, mind you the 3 stooges who I've just named are experienced and are still making the same mistakes Regarding Ndaiye how can he be worth £80 million? 17 goals in 70 odd appearances, yes he's got great close control but as someone pointed out above he does flatter to deceive a lot of the time, if he wants to go he can go as far as I'm concerned, but he should remember it was us who brought him here, he was happy to sign that 5 year contract 2 years ago, I don't remember a que of clubs beating Marseille's door down to sign him, yes he should be on more money so negotiate a deal with him if possible but don't let him hold us to ransom, he's got 3 years left on the contract he happily signed 2 years ago

Ian Bennett 97 Posted 04/06/2026 at 08:43:49

Steve, what are the ages of the players if you take Coleman, Gana, Keane & Tarkowski out? Outfield is that just Grealish over 30?

Two will go, and the other two need to be playing 15 or less a season.

Alan J Thompson 98 Posted 04/06/2026 at 09:17:05

If the disagreement is over the amount that should be used in the "Get Out" clause, then we have to assume the player isn't happy at the club and may have already been approached by another club.

Perhaps we should agree to use the club's valuation for the first half of any new or replacement contract and the player's or agent's thereafter... but would this really be the disagreement given the agent's percentages?

Michael Kenrick 99 Posted 04/06/2026 at 11:26:42

Suddenly, the Manchester Evening News, Liverpool Echo, Mirror and the Express have glommed on to this story, trumpeting Man Utd's interest:

Manchester United interested in Premier League winger as they consider attacking options

Man United weigh up Iliman Ndiaye transfer as Everton set for summer of interest in star

Man Utd turn to Everton's Iliman Ndiaye as they plot left-winger signing

Man Utd add Iliman Ndiaye to transfer shortlist as Everton stance on sale confirmed

Ah... but I think they are all in the same Reach stable. Got it.

Ian Wilkins 100 Posted 04/06/2026 at 13:07:33

We can expect a full Summer of exit speculation for Iliman unless we quash it by saying he’s going nowhere. Leaking a ‘prohibitive’ fee (£69m suggested) would do nothing other than let his potential exit run full Summer. If the club is happy for him to leave at the right price then deal with enquiring clubs privately, tell them the fee, get it done. A drawn out Summer of half arsed, protracted offers, counter offers, denials etc then having a late established squad, would be a repeat of last Summers unprofessional debacle. No thanks.